Telangana Minister for Industries & Commerce, IT, Legislative Affairs D. Sridhar Babu said on Friday that the construction sector in Telangana grew by over 11% in the Financial Year 2024-25 while it was over 8% growth across the country.  Speaking at a two-day conference on ‘Next-Gen Highrise Buildings – Advancements in Composite and Steel Structures’ held at the Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI) by the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India) [ACCE(I)], he complimented civil engineers calling them the “backbone of New India in the built environment.

Mentioning that Hyderabad has over 220 buildings above 100 meters, he stressed the need for sustainable construction, citing the limitations of concrete and the challenges of climate change, shrinking margins, and increasing density. The Minister emphasized transitioning to Tier-2/3 cities, with vertical schools and eco-conscious housing. He informed that the Telangana government plans to build 5 lakh affordable houses using new technologies. 

He called for setting up a “Centre of Excellence for Civil Engineering” in Hyderabad to foster innovation and civil engineering startups. At the same time he urged engineers to uphold the integrity of their profession. Warning against political interference, he stressed that if engineers don’t assert technical correctness, the consequences will reflect in failed infrastructure. 

Nearly 800 participants from across India participated in the conference which brought together a wide spectrum of professionals from civil engineering and construction sectors. Rajkumar Kacharla, President South, Vice President, ACCE(I), said that engineers today are not just constructing buildings but also  are crafting a sustainable legacy for generations to come.

Adding to this, Kashiram Adepu, governing council member ACCE (I) stated that the vertical growth of urban regions and tier I & II cities makes engineers keep pace with evolving best practices. He described the conference as a “catalyst” inspiring engineers, policymakers, and innovators to embrace safer and more sustainable construction methods that will define our skylines for decades.