Nagaland yet to pick up modern technology in construction — Ozükum

Our Correspondent

Kohima, July 2 (EMN): Minister for Public Works Department (PWD) Housing and Mechanical, Tongpang Ozükum, on Saturday said Nagaland is lagging behind in many developmental aspects compared to other states, and asserted that modern methods of construction are ‘very new’ to the state.

He informed that this year the state is going to try and experience the use of emerging technologies in construction work, while stating that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), has sanctioned  one demonstration housing project (DHP) to the Housing department, Nagaland.

The minister was addressing the Indian Buildings Congress (IBC) open session cum seminar on “New Technology in built environment” hosted by the IBC Nagaland Centre in association with NPWD held at The Deck, Hotel Vivor, Kohima.

He informed that in the DHP project, the state is going to use Prefabricated Sandwich Panel System (for walls and floors) and Steel Structural System (for columns and beams).

“I have a strong feeling that this could be a game changer when it comes to constructions not only for the Housing department but also for other departments as well,” he said.

During such courses of construction, training programmes will be organised for state professionals such as engineers, architects, planners, while engineering and architectural students will also be invited including construction workers such as masons and carpenters.

“In fact, this DHP construction will act as a training cum resource project for providing training on emerging technologies. So it will be a learning experience for the state department in particular”, said Ozukum.

Govt. to develop brownfields

Meanwhile, the minister also maintained that Nagaland has certain similarities with other metropolitan cities and towns including land encroachment, congestion, unhealthy environment, unauthorised constructions, choked drains and sewer system and many more.

He added that since there is hardly any government land available for development, “to develop Greenfield Township in privately owned land seems a distant dream for us at the moment.”

“Therefore our department is in discussion to develop brownfields using the emerging technologies, as the state has thousands of government staff quarters in all the districts, and many quarters are as old as the state”, he said.

He added that many abandoned quarters give room for people to encroach Govt. lands while most such brownfield sites are situated in prime and urban areas.

According to the minister, by developing such areas using the emerging technologies, the state will not only create assets for the department but generate revenue for the government and also at the same time reclaim and protect government land.

Further, he also said that such advanced technologies will be more preferred over the conventional means of construction in many places in Nagaland. The minister said using such modern methods of construction (MMC) based on advanced concrete technologies is less time consuming, which will minimise the environmental impact, reduce the cost of construction and will have more positive influence in a state like Nagaland.

Ozukum urged the IBC to guide the state with their expertise and advanced knowledge in developing a sustainable development strategy for building the environment in Nagaland.

Adopt new technology

The guest of honour, President of IBC, VS Verma, in his speech said the theme of the session was chosen in view of the many challenges arising out of population explosion.

He maintained that the pressure of housing is so much that the country needs 2.5 crore housing- dwelling units by 2030. He informed that the housing industry by 2025 will be 13% of GDP and stressed on the need to minimise wastage so as not to degrade the environment.

Further, he underscored the need to adopt new technologies- drone, 3D technology and imagining for construction.

Parag Bedmutha of M/s K P R Construction, Maharashtra gave a presentation on the emerging technologies used for building and constructions while a presentation on Nagaland PWD was also made by Swedi Kiso, executive engineer of Youth Resources department.

Earlier welcome address was delivered by Kahuli Sema, engineer-in-chief of Nagaland PWD and the programme was chaired by I Tiameren, Chief Engineer, NPWD (H).