The Cost of a Shortcut

Safety remains the cornerstone of progress as India’s infrastructure boom accelerates toward a ₹39.10 trillion market by 2029. Visionary leaders are integrating AI, IoT, and ergonomic designs to safeguard workers in challenging conditions.

On January 15, 2025, a tragic collapse at a metro construction site in Mumbai claimed three lives. It injured seven workers, underscoring the critical importance of robust safety protocols in the construction and infrastructure industries. The incident, attributed to inadequate scaffolding and failure to adhere to safety standards, sparked nationwide outrage and prompted the Ministry of Labour and Employment to mandate immediate safety audits for all metro projects across India. This tragedy is a sobering reminder that safety cannot be neglected in a sector propelling India’s economic growth, which is expected to reach ₹39.10 trillion by 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8 percent. To safeguard employees and maintain operational excellence, industry leaders are stepping up their efforts to use cutting-edge technologies, stringent procedures, and sustainable practices as infrastructure and construction projects reach new heights.

The high stakes of safety

Over 7 crore people are employed in India’s infrastructure and construction industries, making it one of the biggest employers in the nation. However, they are also among the most dangerous; according to the Ministry of Labour, falls will be responsible for over 30 percent of the 1,200+ construction-related deaths that occurred each year in 2023. The Directorate General of Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) reports a 10 percent decrease in fatalities in 2024 due to tougher regulations. Still, ongoing difficulties with subcontractor compliance and insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) usage further inflate these figures. Trenching accidents, electrocution, and equipment-related incidents also contribute to these figures.

According to estimates from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), construction accidents cost the sector USD 1 trillion annually in lost productivity, compensation, and medical costs. With fines of up to 2 lakh for safety infractions, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 in India has increased the bar. States like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra spearhead multilingual training programmes to overcome language difficulties among employees, and the latest Mumbai incident has sped up the implementation of digital event reporting and required safety certificates.

Safety first

Industry pioneers are leveraging cutting-edge technologies and robust protocols to mitigate risks in high-stakes environments like mining, tunnelling, and heavy construction. Samar Pal, Divisional Head of the Mining Division at Liebherr India Private Limited, emphasises a multifaceted approach: “We prioritise worker safety with robust standards and modern technologies, ensuring protection even in harsh conditions. Ergonomic cab designs with reinforced frames help protect operators from rollovers and falling debris. Comprehensive visibility systems, such as 360-degree cameras and proximity detection sensors, aid collision avoidance and situational awareness.”

Pal’s emphasis on technology is echoed by VG Sakthikumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Schwing Stetter India, who highlights the non-negotiable nature of safety in mining: “Safety is not negotiable in mining, and our machines are outfitted with numerous safety features to keep workers safe in hazardous settings. To avoid accidents, our equipment includes innovative operator assistance systems, fatigue monitoring solutions, and automatic emergency braking.” These advancements align with India’s construction equipment industry, which grew by 26 percent in FY24, becoming the world’s third-largest market, with safety-focused innovations driving global competitiveness.

In the tunnelling sector, Prof. Arnold Dix, President of the International Tunnelling & Underground Space Association, advocates for sustainable practices that intertwine safety and environmental responsibility. “The cornerstone of tunnelling sustainability begins with rigorous feasibility studies, which ensure that construction works with rather than against geological conditions,” Dix explains. “Real-time monitoring technology, such as geotechnical sensors and AI-driven predictive models, are frequently utilised to assess subterranean conditions and dynamically adapt tunnelling operations to minimise environmental damage.” His insights resonate with India’s ₹1.79 lakh crore infrastructure allocation in Uttar Pradesh’s 2025-26 budget, which prioritises sustainable urban development and transport infrastructure.

Tarique Salman, Regional Sales Manager at Vermeer, underscores operator comfort as a safety pillar in continuous surface mining: “The air ride cabs have active suspension seats, which reduce vibrations and improve ride comfort. The rising Rollover Protective Module (ROPM) cabin improves the operator’s view of the trench and the machine.” Such innovations are critical in India’s mining sector, where hazardous conditions demand ergonomic and protective designs.

Technology as a game-changer

The integration of technology is revolutionising safety in construction and infrastructure. Wearable devices, such as smart helmets with GPS and health monitoring, are being piloted by companies like Larsen & Toubro (L&T), reducing accident rates by approximately 20 percent in trial projects. Drones are increasingly deployed to inspect high-risk areas like bridges and tunnels, minimising worker exposure to hazards. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems, adopted by firms like BOOTES, enable predictive analytics to identify potential risks before they escalate, aligning with India’s broader AI adoption projected to contribute $450–500 billion to GDP by 2025.

The Kavach Automatic Train Protection System, backed by a ₹16,000 crore tender in 2025, exemplifies technology’s role in railway safety, with companies like Kernex Microsystems and HBL Power Systems is driving implementation. Similarly, Building Information Modelling (BIM) enhances safety planning during the design phase, while exoskeletons reduce physical strain in repetitive tasks, particularly in heavy construction.

Regulatory backbone and challenges

India’s regulatory framework is evolving to match the industry’s growth. The Building and Other Construction Workers Act of 1996 and recent amendments to the Occupational Safety Code mandate regular safety audits, mandatory PPE, and training for high-risk tasks. The Central Electricity Authority’s 2024 regulations now require grounding systems and ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) at all construction sites to prevent electrocution, a leading cause of fatalities. The National Safety Council (NSC) aims to train 10 lakh workers by 2026 on fall protection, confined space entry, and electrical safety, addressing the sector’s high turnover and diverse workforce.

Even with these advancements, difficulties still exist. Safety budgets are strained by subcontractor non-compliance, insufficient PPE use, and cost concerns, which are made worse by a 4.7 percent increase in labour expenses in Q1 2025. The collapse of the Mumbai metro revealed weaknesses in scaffolding regulations, leading to demands for more stringent enforcement. Prof. Dix emphasises contract flexibility to address unforeseen geological challenges: “Safety and sustainability require adaptation. Contracts should include provisions for changes if the geology poses unforeseen obstacles.”

Sustainable safety: A dual imperative

Safety and sustainability are increasingly intertwined, particularly in tunnelling and mining. Dix notes, “Material selection is also an important consideration. Design alternatives for reducing the carbon footprint of major projects include low-carbon concrete, tunnel linings constructed from recycled materials, and energy-efficient ventilation systems.” India’s revised National Building Code (NBC), expected in 2025, will enforce stricter energy efficiency and green building standards, aligning with the ₹79,000 crore allocated for sustainable infrastructure in the Union Budget 2024-25.

Water management and waste recycling are also critical. Excavated materials from tunnelling projects are being repurposed for infrastructure, reducing environmental impact. Companies like Adani Enterprises and JSW Infrastructure are integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles into their port and road projects, reflecting a broader industry shift.

India’s construction and infrastructure sectors are at a pivotal juncture, with a projected 6.2 percent growth in 2025 driven by commercial, industrial, and transport projects. The Union Budget 2025-26’s ₹2,65,200 crore allocation for railways and ₹500 billion for port infrastructure underscores the government’s commitment to modernisation and safety. However, the Mumbai tragedy serves as a sobering reminder that progress must not come at the cost of human lives.

As Samar Pal aptly states, “These procedures, taken together, protect personnel and guarantee that mining operations adhere to high safety regulations.” The industry’s future hinges on a collective commitment to innovation, regulation, and a safety-first culture. By blending advanced technologies, sustainable practices, and rigorous training, India’s construction and infrastructure sectors can build structures and a legacy of safety and resilience for future generations.

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Quotes

Samar Pal, Divisional Head / Mining Division, Liebherr India Private Limited:

“Ergonomic cab designs with reinforced frames help protect operators from rollovers and falling debris. Comprehensive visibility systems, such as 360-degree cameras and proximity detection sensors, aid collision avoidance and situational awareness.”

VG Sakthikumar, Chairman and Managing Director, Schwing Stetter India:

“Safety is not negotiable in mining, and our machines are outfitted with numerous safety features to keep workers safe in hazardous settings. To avoid accidents, our equipment includes innovative operator assistance systems, fatigue monitoring solutions, and automatic emergency braking.”

Prof. Arnold Dix, President, International Tunnelling & Underground Space Association:

“Real-time monitoring technology, such as geotechnical sensors and AI-driven predictive models, are frequently utilised to assess subterranean conditions and dynamically adapt tunnelling operations to minimise environmental damage.”

Tarique Salman, Regional Sales Manager, Vermeer:

“The air ride cabs have active suspension seats, which reduce vibrations and improve ride comfort. The rising Rollover Protective Module (ROPM) cabin improves the operator’s view of the trench and the machine.”