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Union Minister Piyush Goyal has called for wider adoption of precast and steel-based construction to reduce dust pollution from building activity in urban areas. Speaking in Mumbai, he said traditional reinforced concrete construction is a major source of air pollution and suggested cleaner, faster alternatives already common globally. Goyal said he may explore incentives with the Maharashtra government to encourage developers to shift to precast and steel systems, despite higher upfront costs. These methods reduce on-site dust, speed up project execution, and minimise disruption in dense cities. He also stressed industry-led adoption over blanket bans, noting that cleaner construction can support sustainable urban growth, redevelopment, and better living conditions in fast-growing metropolitan regions.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday highlighted the need to promote precast and steel-based construction methods as a way to reduce dust pollution caused by building activity in cities. He said such construction practices are widely used globally and could help address air quality concerns in dense urban areas like Mumbai. Advertisement
Speaking at a meeting with businessmen and housing society office-bearers at Adarsh Complex in Malad West, Goyal said traditional reinforced concrete construction contributes significantly to dust pollution during project execution. He pointed out that in many countries, construction relies more on steel structures and precast components rather than on-site concrete mixing.
Goyal said he was considering discussing the possibility of offering concessions or incentives for adopting precast and steel construction with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He noted that while these methods may involve higher initial costs, they offer environmental benefits and faster execution timelines, which could offset the cost difference over time.
Dust generated during construction activities is a major contributor to urban air pollution, particularly in fast-growing cities. Goyal said reinforced concrete mixers should ideally be shifted out of city limits to reduce local pollution levels. Referring to steps taken in his own parliamentary constituency, he said several such mixers had already been removed from residential areas.
Instead of imposing blanket bans on construction processes that cause pollution, the minister suggested building consensus among developers to voluntarily adopt cleaner construction methods. According to him, encouraging industry-wide adoption of precast and steel systems could achieve better results than regulatory restrictions alone.
Precast construction involves manufacturing building components in controlled factory environments and assembling them on site, reducing dust, noise, and construction time. Steel structures also allow for quicker installation and lower on-site material handling. These methods are increasingly being used in commercial buildings, infrastructure projects, and large housing developments globally.
The issue is particularly relevant for metropolitan regions where construction activity is continuous and land availability is limited. Faster and cleaner construction techniques can help minimise disruption to surrounding neighbourhoods while supporting housing supply and redevelopment projects.
During the interaction, Goyal also spoke about the need for dedicated public grounds to host religious, cultural, and sports events. He said earmarking such spaces would reduce pressure on residential areas and improve urban planning outcomes.
The meeting was held ahead of the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Mumbai scheduled for January 15. Goyal, who represents North Mumbai in the Lok Sabha and also serves as Union Commerce and Industry Minister, said he was focusing on local civic issues during the interaction rather than national or international matters.
He briefly mentioned his recent visit to Brussels, where discussions on the European Union India Free Trade Agreement were held, but clarified that the day's interaction was centred on city-level concerns.
Goyal's comments come at a time when urban local bodies and state governments are exploring ways to balance rapid construction activity with environmental sustainability. Incentivising cleaner construction technologies could have implications for project design, construction timelines, and compliance standards across the real estate sector.
Source: PTI
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