New Delhi: Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas, emphasized the critical role of the construction industry in India’s economic growth during the inauguration of the National Workshop on “Recent Development with Recycling and Use of C&D Waste in Construction Sector.” The workshop, organized by CPWD in collaboration with SINTEF Norway, aimed to discuss and promote the utilization of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in the construction industry.
Minister Puri highlighted that the construction industry is among the fastest-growing sectors in India, serving as the second-largest employer and having linkages across 250 sectors of the economy. He projected that India would have the third-largest construction market globally by 2025. The minister addressed the pressing need to efficiently manage the increasing C&D waste associated with construction activities.
Quoting urbanization demands, Puri stated that India needs to add about 700-900 million sq. meters of commercial and residential space annually by 2030. He emphasized the vital role of infrastructure in India’s ambition to become a developed country by 2047.
Acknowledging the environmental impact of C&D waste, Minister Puri stressed the importance of finding efficient solutions to manage the waste generated by the construction sector. He noted that the construction industry in India produces about 150-500 million tonnes of C&D waste annually, posing challenges such as unauthorized dumping, limited disposal space, and improper waste mixing.
The Minister discussed the government’s efforts towards sustainable waste management, highlighting the success of urban missions launched in 2015. He mentioned the significant rise in solid waste processing from 17% in 2014 to over 77% in 2024. Puri also outlined the comprehensive guidelines released by the government across the value chain for effective disposal of C&D waste.
Puri commended the strides made by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in changing stakeholders’ mindset regarding C&D waste management. He urged stakeholders to devise better strategies for the effective utilization of C&D waste, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in achieving sustainable waste management goals.
The National Workshop brought together experts in the field of C&D recycling to share views and insights, fostering a collaborative approach to address challenges and promote sustainable development in the construction sector. The event witnessed the participation of key dignitaries, including Norwegian Ambassador to India Ms. May-Elin Stener, Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manoj Joshi, and DG of CPWD Shri Rajesh Kumar Kaushal.