Government backs new tech to speed up infra and housing projects

In a move that will give a boost to infrastructure and housing projects across the country, the government is considering the latest building information and modelling (BIM) technology to fast-track construction work. The move will also help optimise the cost of housing construction and in achieving the government’s target of housing for all. According to the latest report by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, at least 355 projects have seen a cost overrun of Rs 3.88 lakh crore and about 552 projects have faced time escalation. NITI Aayog officials said BIM could save up to 20% of the project cost by shortening the construction time. The government think tank wants all the infrastructure ministries to consider the model. “With implementation of the process of BIM, even the minute attributes of the construction can be modelled, monitored and analysed for further design updates. The modelling further enhances the visualisation of the design for the stakeholders to understand what the project will look like,” said a NITI Aayog official. Apart from housing-for-all projects, the think tank is also considering the use of technology for the construction of national highways, greenfield airport and metro projects, station redevelopment and railway capacity augmentation programmes.