— Ashok R. Desai, Proprietor, Anish Scaffolding SystemsAnish Scaffolding Systems, which was founded
in Bengaluru in 2004 by
Ashok .R. Desai, a qualified
civil engineer, undertakes the design, supply and
installation of scaffolding for a range of structures
including high-rise buildings.
Ashok R. Desai speaks
to
Lalitha Rao on the key demand drivers in the
scaffolding sector and related issues.
What are the key demand drivers
in the Indian scaffolding
and formwork sector? What are
your plans to meet the growing
demand for these products?
Nowadays most of the construction
contracts are awarded at
short notice and required to be
completed within a quick stipulated
time period. There is hardly
any time for the contractor to
mobilise scaffolding items as it
requires time and additional
funds. Here, our services are
reckoned as we deliver quickly
and without burdening our
client's initial budget. We are also
planning to provide services like
design, site inspection and certification
of scaffolding works at site.
What is your outlook for this
sector in the next five years?
We see huge growth in this
industry as it is directly related
to infrastructure development.
We are also planning to enter the
overseas market in future.
What are the challenges while
executing works at heights?
Modern structures involve complex
architectural designs like
cantilever projections, flat slabs
etc. It is a big challenge for us to
design and install these structures
quickly and safely.
Do you see a growing trend in
metal scaffolding in the coming
years?
Already the metal and pipe scaffolding
has replaced the bamboo
scaffolding in most parts of
India, mainly because pipe scaffolding
is strong and load bearing
capacity is high; it can be
designed as per load requirements;
it is self-supporting
which needs minimum lateral
support, especially for works at
heights; it can be assembled
quickly and transported and
handled easily; and it helps
environment as it replaces natural
bamboo.
How adequate are the safety
norms for scaffoldings?
Although there are strict norms
for using scaffold material as per
standards and installation, they
are not strictly followed at project
sites, mainly because of the
urgency in project completion
and also non-availability of qualified
and experienced suppliers.
We believe in educating our
workmen for safe installation as
well as our users with adequate
design and safety.
Can you briefly talk about
Anish Scaffolding Systems'
achievements since it was
established in 2004?
During this period the construction
industry in India saw new
growth opportunities due to the
rising trend of the IT industry
infrastructure projects, resulting
in a boom in market economy.
Tall structures involving structured
cladding like glazing, aluminum
composite panelling,
special tiles on facades, painting
etc., required safer and quicker
methods to work at heights.
These industry requirements
urged us to cater to the needs of
different types of projects such
as IT parks, airports and pharmaceutical
projects. We were
able to provide hiring services
including design and installation
at project sites.