Builder's novel way to deliver IT space

D Govardan
Financial Chronicle
At a time, when several property developers across the country are sitting on large stock of unoccupied built-in IT space, Chennai-based India Land and Properties, part of Americorp Group, is going ahead with its Rs 320 crore, 1.8 million sq ft, IT special economic zone (SEZ) at Saravanampatti in Coimbatore.

But, instead of following the trodden path of getting the building ready and waiting for occupants, India Land adds space as and when it gets a client. Helping it to achieve this unique concept is the pre-cast concrete technology that ensures that the company gets the required space ready in record time.

Use of pre-cast concrete technology enables it to deliver the space, complete with glazing and air-conditioning, within three months after signing up a client.

"Normally, this technology is used in construction of bridges. For the first time, it is being used in buildings in a big way," said S Salai Kumaran, director, India Land.

The IT SEZ is being developed jointly with Coimbatore-based KGISL. According to him, pre-cast concrete technology is being increasingly used in countries such as Singapore, Dubai and Indonesia.

"The method not only ensures zero wastage, but also offers better quality and saves cost," he added.

Slabs are produced at the site using steel moulds. These are then lifted and fixed using high capacity cranes. "We have signed up contractors from Singapore and they have already completed 5 lakh sq ft of pre-cast concrete slabs," Kumaran said.

Using the pre-cast concrete technology, the builder is able to complete one floor in about seven to eight days, against 12­20 days taken in conventional method, where quality could be comparatively inferior and there's more wastage.

"We have used this technology for beams and floors. It can even be used for columns and pillars," he pointed out. In fact, impressed by the delivery standards of the contractors, Americorp Construction, the parent company of India Land, has taken them on its rolls.

Kumaran said the use of precast concrete technology has helped the company save up to 15 percent of the estimated Rs 320 crore project cost.

"Though the economic slowdown has delayed the completion of the project and the resultant interest charges may gobble up the purported savings from use of this technology, we expect to complete the project within the estimated budget. Had we opted for traditional construction method, the project would have cost us Rs 350 crore due to delay and interest burden," he explained. Of 1.8 million sq ft, about 1.3 million sq ft will be office space, with the rest would be reserved for basement parking and other facilities.