Army Chief urges Military Engineers to embrace Technological Advancements in Infra development

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande has emphasised the significance of the Military Engineer Services (MES) keeping pace with technological advancements in the industry and embracing modern construction methods. Speaking at a two-day engineer conclave on infrastructure development and sustenance held on November 8 and 9 at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment, COAS Gen Pande addressed an audience comprising approximately 550 officials from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, MES, and representatives from the construction industry, academia, and research organisations.

During his keynote address, COAS Gen Pande urged the MES to align itself "with technological advancements" in the industry and "adopt modern practices as a norm." According to a PTI report, he identified crucial issues for the MES to address, including knowledge-sharing through engagement with other government departments and external agencies. Additionally, he stressed the exploration of modern project management methods to minimise time and cost overruns and enhance construction quality through technology infusion.

The event featured speakers from various fields who discussed essential construction aspects, including emerging technologies such as 3D construction, precast methods, cold climate concreting, underground storage, automation tools, net-zero buildings, green norms, and contract management. The speakers included industry experts, pioneers in green norms on geo-thermal topics, industry litigators, contract managers, and subject experts.

Engineer-in-Chief Lt Gen Arvind Walia, in his welcome address, reiterated the national focus on developing infrastructure and underscored the MES's role in nation-building as one of the largest construction agencies in the country. He elaborated on the time-cost-quality paradigm, highlighting the MES's plans to optimize the balance between these three aspects.

The conclave marked the beginning of a series of interactions aimed at making the organization more contemporary and effective, according to sources.