Hardeep Singh Puri Highlights Construction Industry's Role In India's Growth
Addressing the inauguration of the National Workshop on “Recent Development with recycling and use of C&D waste in construction sector,” Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas, underscored the pivotal role of the construction industry in India's economy.
He emphasised that the construction sector is among the fastest-growing industries and is the second-largest employer in the country, with linkages across 250 sectors of the economy. Minister Puri projected that India is poised to have the third-largest construction market globally by 2025.
The workshop, organised by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) in collaboration with SINTEF Norway, brought together experts and stakeholders to deliberate on promoting the use of Construction and Demolition (C&D) recycled items in the construction industry, aimed at fostering sustainable development.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Puri highlighted the rapid pace of construction in India, citing the country's urbanisation demands. He emphasised the need to add approximately 700-900 million square metres of commercial and residential space annually by 2030 to meet these demands, underscoring the critical role of infrastructure in India's developmental aspirations.
Acknowledging the environmental challenges posed by C&D waste, Minister Puri emphasised the need for efficient solutions to manage the significant volume of waste generated by the construction sector. He noted that India generates an estimated 150-500 million tonnes of C&D waste annually, presenting challenges such as unauthorised dumping and inadequate disposal facilities.
Minister Puri outlined the government's efforts towards sustainable waste management, citing the rise in solid waste processing from 17 per cent in 2014 to over 77 per cent in 2024. He highlighted the release of comprehensive guidelines on effective disposal of C&D waste and emphasised the importance of data collection and institutional mechanisms for waste management.
Highlighting the strides made in C&D waste processing, Minister Puri noted that the National Capital Region (NCR) alone generates over 6,000 tonnes of C&D waste per day, with a significant portion being processed daily.
In his closing remarks, Minister Puri urged stakeholders to collaborate with the government in devising strategies for the effective utilisation of C&D waste, emphasising the importance of sustainable practices in the construction industry for India's economic growth and environmental well-being.
