Need of the Hour

Four Million Civil Engineers, Architects and Planners By 2020

Built environment, comprising construction and real estate related activities, is one of the major contributors to the Indian economy, accounting for approximately 17 % of GDP. While Real estate sector projects a demand of 95 billion square feet by 2020, shortage of required manpower continues to be the main cause of worry. As on date, Engineering continues to dominate as a preferred discipline with about 3400 engineering colleges in India with a capacity of about 15 Lakh seats across 36 courses approved by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).

As per the recent research study taken up by RICS, the annual average demand of Civil Engineers, Architects and Planners together in the Built Environment during 2010-2020 shall be a staggering four million.

Though India poses inadequate infrastructure, lack of transparency, lack of Governance as major obstacles, these can be overcome by introducing right policies and right strategies. Mammoth pool of talent that is available at this point in time and the domestic market driven by emerging middle class make India the most preferred and favoured Investment destination for FDI among the developing markets in the world. India now finds itself on an upward trajectory of growth cycle and with its proven resilience to counter economic challenges, sure to surge ahead. As a contrary phenomenon, a simple demand-supply analysis shows that against the demand of 127500 quality Civil engineers per annum, only 26500 competent Civil Engineers are available. Sustained period of shortfall in annual supply, coupled with an increasing year on year demand, could result in a cumulative demand of nearly 45 million core professionals, over 2010-20- as per the report.

Consequently, we also find placements dipping as IT firms shrink their offers and majority graduates turning their attention to Realty and Auto Sectors. It is time for the construction Industry to leverage this situation and channalise the youth power by providing them necessary vocational training and bring them on the main stream. Reports also indicate that India is poised to grow extensively in the fields of Sustainable Engineering.

In the midst of all this turmoil however at Built Expressions, a sense of accomplishment prevails as it completes its two years and the second anniversary issue in your hands. We have tried to make this issue as exclusive as possible by including some of the most useful contents along with responses of leading technocrats of the industry. Many innovative schemes, publications, Knowledge Partnering are also on the anvil of Built expressions.

Built Expressions in its continuous endeavour to empower the Indian Construction Industry, to bring about the awareness, to motivate and inspire the Engineers and Architects of the future dawns, from this anniversary issue, has started a unique idea of placing before its readers, personalities who have pegged new benchmarks in spite of all the odds and vicissitudes under a section called- Person Extraordinaire. Their journey of life, the way they have treaded, by itself, a reflection of wisdom and a fathomless inspiration. We are confident that our readers will appreciate the story lines of these courageous men who have dared to listen to the heart and chiselled the sculpture of their vision.

Wishing you all a new experience with Built Expressions,

Ajit Sabnis

Editor-in-Chief.