THRUST AREAS :

Utilisation of flyash and other industrial and agricultural wastes for productionof building materials and in the construction sector : It is proposed to develop a national programme, in coordination with the Ministries of Energy and Environment, and other Central/State Ministries, for the productive utilisation of coal-ash for variety of uses such as cement manufacturing, sintered aggregates, bricks, cellular concrete blocks and road construction, etc. It is also proposed to promote building materials production units based on utilisation of phosphogypsum, red mud, industrial slags and sludges in the vicinity of plants generating such wastes and by-products. Production units for building materials and manufacture of cost-effective roofing sheets, panel boards and other building components based on local natural fibres, agricultural and forest residues as composite materials will be promoted.

Economy and efficiency in construction projects of public agencies : The building construction agencies both in public and private sector will be encouraged to effect savings in construction cost by utilising innovative technologies and materials, better design and construction management practices by bringing appropriate changes in specification and tender documents etc., and by enhancing supply and availability of high performance cost-effective/alternative materials, components and technologies. The advocacy will be extended to state construction agencies through the leverage of financial institutions and central ministries.

Technology dissemination and training through Building Centres : Under the ongoing scheme of Building Centres operated by the Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment and HUDCO, over 250 centres are in operation with the objective of training artisans and petty contractors, and the promotion of cost efficient building materials and construction techniques. This is being further expanded to rural areas. The major public construction agencies are being persuaded to set up building centres and building components production units to meet their own specialised needs. During the 9th Plan, it is proposed to strengthen technology transfer capabilities of building centres both in urban and rural areas to meet the needs of training and building materials.

Assistance to building material units : Entrepreneurs for new building materials have considerable difficulty in getting access to approved technology, secure clearances, finance, marketing outlets, support from user agencies, fiscal concessions etc. The Council provides support services for assisting such entrepreneurs and units and evolve mechanisms for local approvals, appraisal and sanction of projects, financial assistance, import of essential equipment, inclusion in standards on the lines of the state industrial investment agencies. An integrated proposal for fiscal incentives for encouraging building materials production is submitted to the Finance Ministry from time to time to secure incentives for new building materials.

Simultaneously, action is taken to meet the anticipated shortfall in the availability of conventional materials like bricks, cement and steel by encouraging modernisation of existing units and upgradation of technologies, at entrepreneurial level. In particular, the modernisation of brick & tile industry is being taken up urgently efficient brick burning technologies, and utilisation of flyash to substitute for the top soil.

Standardisation and certification systems : It is the Council's constant endeavour to encourage the use of standardised components and prefabricated building systems incorporating locally produced materials.

The Council has constant interaction with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to facilitate formulation of new standards for all the proven technologies and materials and encourage their inclusion in the schedules of specifications and rates of public construction agencies. To promote new technologies, the council is currently implementing the Performance Appraisal Certification Scheme (PACS) notified by the Government of India through Gazette Notification No.I-16011/5/99 H-II in the Gazette of India No. 49 dated 4th December, 1999.

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