Safety Must Take Precedence over Cost in India's Construction Sector
ECONOMY & POLICY

Safety Must Take Precedence over Cost in India's Construction Sector

In recent years, devastating fires have highlighted the critical need for electrical safety in India. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals the severity of the issue, with 3,375 fire incidents reported over the past two years. Among these, electrical circuits were identified as the leading cause, underscoring the urgent need for action.

Electrical faults have emerged as one of the primary contributors to building fires, accounting for approximately 60 per cent of cases. These incidents stem from factors such as overloading, overheating, short circuits, the use of non-standard appliances, undersized cables, non-compliance with electrical standards, and inadequate maintenance and inspections. High-risk structures like hospitals, airports, schools, and government offices are particularly vulnerable, as electrical fires can spread rapidly and cause immense harm to life and property.

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has responded to this growing concern by revising its general requirements for Electrical Works Part-I Internal, aiming to improve fire safety standards. These updated regulations are designed to ensure safer, more reliable, and sustainable electrical systems in government buildings, including hospitals, schools, and offices.

A key feature of the new CPWD guidelines is the mandatory use of copper cables in government buildings. CPWD recognises the importance of this material for its superior conductivity, high heat resistance, durability, and tensile strength, which collectively reduce the risk of electrical fires caused by faulty connections or short circuits.

The revised guidelines are expected to significantly enhance electrical safety in government buildings, setting a benchmark for safer construction practices. By introducing stricter safety protocols, the guidelines aim to reduce the frequency of electrical faults, thereby protecting lives and property in high-risk environments. Beyond government projects, these standards also encourage safer practices in the private sector, fostering a broader culture of safety and reliability.

The CPWD's efforts have already influenced other states, including Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, which are beginning to adopt similar safety parameters. This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of robust electrical safety standards across the country.

However, the private construction sector has often faced criticism for prioritizing cost-saving measures over safety, leading to poorly executed electrical installations and the use of sub-standard materials. Such practices have placed many buildings at risk, emphasising the need for stricter regulations to prevent fire-related disasters.

While CPWD's revised guidelines provide a model for the public sector, it is equally essential for private stakeholders to adopt these standards. By doing so, they can significantly reduce electrical hazards, enhance safety, and set new benchmarks for construction practices. Although the initial investment in high-quality materials may appear costly, the long-term benefits—such as reduced maintenance expenses and a lower risk of fire hazards—far outweigh the upfront costs.

The construction industry must recognize that safety should never be compromised for short-term gains. Prioritizing the reliability of electrical systems will ensure a safer environment for future generations. By embracing these updated standards in both public and private sectors, India can make substantial progress toward securing its infrastructure and preventing electrical fire-related tragedies.

In recent years, devastating fires have highlighted the critical need for electrical safety in India. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals the severity of the issue, with 3,375 fire incidents reported over the past two years. Among these, electrical circuits were identified as the leading cause, underscoring the urgent need for action. Electrical faults have emerged as one of the primary contributors to building fires, accounting for approximately 60 per cent of cases. These incidents stem from factors such as overloading, overheating, short circuits, the use of non-standard appliances, undersized cables, non-compliance with electrical standards, and inadequate maintenance and inspections. High-risk structures like hospitals, airports, schools, and government offices are particularly vulnerable, as electrical fires can spread rapidly and cause immense harm to life and property. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has responded to this growing concern by revising its general requirements for Electrical Works Part-I Internal, aiming to improve fire safety standards. These updated regulations are designed to ensure safer, more reliable, and sustainable electrical systems in government buildings, including hospitals, schools, and offices. A key feature of the new CPWD guidelines is the mandatory use of copper cables in government buildings. CPWD recognises the importance of this material for its superior conductivity, high heat resistance, durability, and tensile strength, which collectively reduce the risk of electrical fires caused by faulty connections or short circuits. The revised guidelines are expected to significantly enhance electrical safety in government buildings, setting a benchmark for safer construction practices. By introducing stricter safety protocols, the guidelines aim to reduce the frequency of electrical faults, thereby protecting lives and property in high-risk environments. Beyond government projects, these standards also encourage safer practices in the private sector, fostering a broader culture of safety and reliability. The CPWD's efforts have already influenced other states, including Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, which are beginning to adopt similar safety parameters. This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of robust electrical safety standards across the country. However, the private construction sector has often faced criticism for prioritizing cost-saving measures over safety, leading to poorly executed electrical installations and the use of sub-standard materials. Such practices have placed many buildings at risk, emphasising the need for stricter regulations to prevent fire-related disasters. While CPWD's revised guidelines provide a model for the public sector, it is equally essential for private stakeholders to adopt these standards. By doing so, they can significantly reduce electrical hazards, enhance safety, and set new benchmarks for construction practices. Although the initial investment in high-quality materials may appear costly, the long-term benefits—such as reduced maintenance expenses and a lower risk of fire hazards—far outweigh the upfront costs. The construction industry must recognize that safety should never be compromised for short-term gains. Prioritizing the reliability of electrical systems will ensure a safer environment for future generations. By embracing these updated standards in both public and private sectors, India can make substantial progress toward securing its infrastructure and preventing electrical fire-related tragedies.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Hygenco Green Energies Pre-certified for RFNBO Ammonia Exports

Hygenco Green Energies is preparing to export green ammonia from India to Europe after securing Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) pre-certification from Bureau Veritas under the CertifHy scheme. This certification, officially recognized by the European Commission, facilitates access to green or low-carbon hydrogen for end-users across the EU. The CertifHy scheme provides a structured framework for certifying renewable hydrogen and e-fuels, ensuring compliance with EU regulations and international standards. Hygenco's upcoming green ammonia plant, located at Tata Steel’s Speci..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

11 NH Projects in Telangana Stalled over Pending Forest Clearance

As many as 11 National Highway projects in the state have been stalled due to the lack of forest clearance from the central government. The state government is coordinating with the Union government to secure the necessary environmental approvals. Efforts are underway by the state government, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to compile and submit all required details to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for approval. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recently discussed the issue with Union Forest and ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

New Bridge to Be Built on Gurgaon-Jhajjar Road in Haryana

A new parallel bridge is set to be constructed on the Gurgaon-Jhajjar Road in Dhankot, Haryana, as part of efforts to ease the growing traffic congestion in the region. The current bridge, which is a single-lane structure, has become increasingly insufficient to accommodate the rising volume of vehicles. With the surge in traffic, particularly due to the expansion of surrounding sectors, the existing bridge has been unable to meet the demands of commuters. The construction of the new bridge is aimed at increasing the road’s capacity to handle the heavy traffic flow. The route, which connect..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000