Central and some state governments are executing their projects by using precast. This will definitely offer the precast industry as also Preca some good business prospects to look at says Shridhar CN, Head –  Technical & Marketing, Preca Solutions India Pvt Ltd.

How do you see Atmanirbhar Bharat to impact your sector?
Atmanirbhar Nirbhar Bharat can provide the much needed boost to the precast industry. Most of the machines used in the precast industry are usually imported from abroad. The precast industry makes use of a lot of moulds to produce the products and these moulds are usually imported. Likewise numerous concrete chemicals, lifting accessories and spare parts are also not made in India. If all these products are manufactured in India the investment cost will reduce a lot.

In terms of market dynamics, what will be the new normal for the precast concrete segment in the post Covid market?
In Covid-19 situation precast construction is the most optable construction methodology. More so, because it requires a limited number of people on-site. Hence it is little easy to implement the Covid-19 procedures at construction site. The Covid-19 situation has mandated the need for most of the manpower to work from home effectively instead of coming to office. Keeping these safety precautions in mind, it will not be wrong to say that precast will now be used more often across different construction and infrastructure projects.

Where is the precast industry headed in such difficult times? What has been the impact on the local markets?
This pandemic situation has made people ponder and contemplate on ways to overcome the challenges. Projects have come to a standstill all of a sudden, manpower shortage has arisen. Most of the investors and builders are trying to look at options to counter these issues. 

This in turn has given a good boost to the precast industry as most of the halted projects are now trying to restart their projects in a graded way using the precast methodology.  Owing to pandemic every interstate and international movements have come to a standstill. This has oriented the customers to depend more on the local market for addressing their challenges and procuring their goods. This has led to the inception of new ventures and service providers in the local market.

What kind of infrastructure upgrade initiatives should the government focus on to ensure the construction sector remains in robust health?
Government should give clearances to infrastructure projects only after studying them and ensuring they are needed. At present the construction and infrastructure are not working in tandem. So many projects lack proper roads, drainage systems etc. When preparing the master plan, infrastructure requirements should be detailed depending on the project volumes and types. In infrastructure planning and design there should be coordination between different sectors. The roads, drainage and electricity departments and municipalities should coordinate with each other in the design and planning stage. This will avoid unnecessary digging of constructed roads.

What does your business look like in the current economic cycle?
In the current Covid situation the demand in precast construction has increased. Government tenders too now demand precast construction methodology. Even as some private investors are opting to wait and watch, central and some state governments are executing their projects by using precast. This will definitely offer the precast industry as also Preca some good business prospects to look at. Depending on the project needs we are in a position to supply the different products that may be needed.