Biplab Das 
Neha Vyas, Senior Environment Specialist, and India Environment Risk Management Coordinator at The World Bank, shared valuable insights into the critical need for sustainable construction practices in India during her address at the Smart Mobility Conference 2023 today. The interview shed light on the environmental risks associated with current construction practices, sustainable approaches for reducing carbon emissions, successful recycling initiatives, and collaboration among stakeholders.
Environmental Risks in Construction
The construction sector in India exerts significant environmental impact due to its substantial material demand. Neha Vyas emphasised that this impact begins with raw material sourcing, involving minerals and metals, and extends across the entire construction project lifecycle. From material extraction to design, construction, and infrastructure operation and maintenance, each phase contributes to the sector’s environmental footprint. This heavy reliance on natural resources can lead to ecological degradation if sustainable practices are not integrated at every stage.
Sustainable Approaches in India
Addressing India’s need for sustainable construction, Vyas highlighted a multi-pronged strategy. First, environmental health and safety considerations must be integrated into the design phase itself. This ensures that infrastructure is imbued with sustainable qualities from its inception. Second, focusing on construction quality is vital, as poor practices can result in costly reconstruction and maintenance, both financially and environmentally.
Moreover, incentivising sustainable practices throughout the construction industry is crucial. Without incentives that benefit all stakeholders, the construction sector’s development trajectory may lean away from environmental sustainability.
Reducing Carbon Emissions
In the context of India’s sustainability goals, Vyas underscored the pivotal role of the construction industry in reducing carbon emissions. She stressed the importance of minimising material usage, promoting material reuse, and replacing traditional materials with recycled materials or industrial byproducts. This approach decreases reliance on virgin materials and contributes positively to sustainability objectives.
Innovations in technology and machinery also hold promise. Advanced equipment can significantly enhance construction efficiency, reduce material and fuel consumption, and minimise environmental impact.
Technology Disparities
Vyas acknowledged the technology gap between larger projects like highways and smaller ones like District Roads in India. Larger projects often have more resources and access to advanced technology and machinery, making sustainable practices easier to adopt. In contrast, smaller contractors may face challenges due to limited resources.
However, Vyas emphasised that sustainable practices are viable for projects of all sizes. Innovative approaches, such as machinery rentals, can assist smaller contractors in adopting eco-friendly practices.
Successful Recycling Practices
India has witnessed successful recycling practices in the construction sector. Vyas highlighted the Mesana-Himatnagar highway project, where extensive recycling of existing bitumen surfaces demonstrated the potential for recycling in large-scale road construction. Concrete and demolition waste recycling, governed by rules and regulations, has gained momentum, with instances of 100% recycling and re-milling of pavement materials.
Furthermore, India has made remarkable progress in using waste plastic in road construction, leading to the creation of over 150,000 kilometres of roads using waste plastic.
Collaboration for Sustainability
Collaboration among various stakeholders is essential to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices in construction. Vyas highlighted the roles of different stakeholders:
Government: Introducing and enforcing policies that encourage sustainability, offering incentives, and updating regulatory frameworks.
Private Players: Actively embracing sustainable practices, investing in advanced technology, and collaborating with research institutions.
Research and Educational Institutions: Conducting research on sustainable practices, materials, and technologies, and providing training and education.
Financial Institutions: Offering favourable lending terms and financial products for sustainable construction projects.
Industry Associations: Facilitating knowledge exchange and best practices among members through seminars and workshops.
The collaborative efforts of these stakeholders, driven by experts like Neha Vyas, are instrumental in advancing sustainable construction practices and supporting India’s journey towards a greener and more environmentally responsible future.
