CPWD deploys 3D printing to fast-track defence construction in border areas
NEW DELHI: For the first time, Centre’s construction agency, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), has built a watch tower (forward duty point) for the armed forces in Jammu using 3D printing construction technology in just 45 days. The project is expected to pave the way for much faster construction of such critical defence infrastructure in border areas. Conventional construction of these structures typically takes more than a year because of difficult terrain and logistical challenges.3D printing in building construction is a technology that uses a large, computer-controlled machine to build a house or other structure by laying down material, usually a special type of concrete, one layer at a time, much like a regular 3D printer makes plastic objects. Instead of workers building walls brick by brick, the printer follows a digital design to create the structure automatically, making construction faster, more accurate and less wasteful.CPWD officials said the project aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of Concrete 3D Printing Technology for rapid and efficient construction in high-security and remote locations and it was done successfully. The scope of work was a ground-plus-one storeyed building and it encompassed end-to-end delivery, including design development, procurement, construction, and commissioning of the facility with all essential services such as water supply, sanitary systems, and internal electrical installations. “Despite challenges such as restricted site access, security protocols, and logistical constraints, the project was completed successfully. The use of 3D printing technology significantly enhanced construction speed, precision, and resource efficiency, making this project a benchmark for future defense infrastructure initiatives,” an official said.
