Youth is the cornerstone of change, and it is high time that a lead is taken to uplift ethical practices and innovation in the overly traditional and orthodox industry of construction and contracting in Nepal. The present condition of industry needs a complete overhaul from “repair and survive” with bare minimum work to a “build and grow” mindset with utmost quality work, accountability, and transparency.
Youth understand technology better than anyone. One of the key aspects to work on is to digitalise the workflow. Infusion of IT solutions and making use of cutting-edge technologies like AI for data analysis for effective project planning, IoT for site monitoring and tracking, drone technology for site mapping, reliable digital procurement, etc, can make the construction process swift, easy, efficient, and effective for everyone involved. Nepal has a huge potential to serve as an IT hub, and what better way to make use of it to enhance and transform domestic industries.
Youth is often forward-thinking and likes taking risks due to an impulsive nature. They are also curious and like to try new things. State of the art innovations in smart infrastructural designs, such as intelligent traffic systems, can significantly ease the commutation problems of Nepal, mainly in the urban areas where traffic is chaotic.
Additionally, youth can promote and invest in green construction by producing and making use of eco- friendly materials that are locally available in Nepal. Investment in research and development is paramount here. Nepal has a goal of becoming carbon negative by the year 2050.
Youth prioritising green construction practices will serve the purpose of both infrastructural development and carbon footprint reduction. This will place Nepal in the hot seat of climate-conscious countries and portray it as an investment-friendly nation.
Another vital area is workers’ welfare. Strictly implementing OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) audits and ensuring a safe and comfortable working environment on and off-site will be a significant milestone for the industry upliftment. Specialised training and uninterrupted payment will retain the talent from going abroad. Eliminating middlemen who take a cut from workers’ pay will be another key step toward talent retention.
Youth are active in challenging old beliefs that have a strong foundation in our society. Many of those old beliefs have shaped our society with inequality. The notion that labour work is for unskilled people and for those who cannot go abroad needs to be abolished. The societal status gap between the construction director with a laptop and a mason with a brick needs to be brought to the same level.
Lack of accountability has been a long-standing problem which needs to be addressed for an enhanced working culture in Nepal. Taxpayers’ money should be effectively utilised. The concerned should take responsibility for the projects that are left mid-way due to negligence or misuse of funds. Youth has become synonymous with ethics in Nepal. Accountability and transparency are two strong pillars of ethics that youth can’t pass by without working on.
Youth, with their working ethics, can remove the thumb-rule culture of Nepal. Construction should always be precise and subject to the terrain and landscape of the place. A house built on the flat land of Terai cannot be built the same way in the landslide-prone area of Sindhupalchowk. Many structures fail because they were built not with calculation but with guesswork. Youth can transform the industry by delivering long-term value instead of shortcuts.
Innovation is also required at the policy level. Policies should make it excessively easy to manufacture raw construction materials like cement and clinker in Nepal, reducing dependency on imports.
The government should promote and incentivise the implementation of new ideas and startup-based construction services such as digital platforms for project management, on-demand civil engineering services and more. It is only when the government joins hands with the industry that it grows confidently. Only then can the youth exercise their unique abilities for a prosperous and infrastructurally rich Nepal.
