Digitising the Jobsite
Infrastructure timelines are shrinking, project complexity is rising, and expectations around safety, productivity, and sustainability continue to increase. Equipment today is no longer viewed merely as capital expenditure it is a productivity multiplier.
Organisations are shifting from upfront cost-based decisions to lifecycle value assessments. Parameters such as uptime, fuel efficiency, digital readiness, and service support now influence buying decisions as much as machine capacity. Preventive maintenance is replacing reactive repairs, and operator capability is becoming as important as machine specification.
Decision-making is becoming data-led. Equipment deployment is aligned with construction sequencing. Supply chains are being integrated more closely with site planning. Those who adapt fastest are gaining an edge in execution certainty and cost control.
Digitisation has emerged as the strongest enabler of transformation. Connected machines, telematics, and cloud platforms now provide real-time visibility into equipment health, utilisation, grading accuracy, and compaction quality. What was once managed through manual surveys and paper logs is increasingly controlled through digital dashboards.
Fleet managers can redeploy underutilised assets. Maintenance teams can predict failures before breakdowns occur. Project leaders can align machine availability with weekly work plans. Finance teams can analyse cost per operating hour and benchmark performance across sites.
Digitisation has also reshaped procurement and inventory management enabling faster workflows, real-time delivery tracking, and better forecasting.
Beyond efficiency, digital tools are improving safety and sustainability through reduced rework, optimised fuel usage, and measurable quality documentation.
From proof of concept to national adoption
A practical example of how digitisation and automation can manage disruption comes from the implementation of Automated & Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AI-MC) in highway projects in India.
During my previous assignment, I had the opportunity to lead one of the early Proof of Concept (POC) deployments of 3D machine control and intelligent compaction systems on live road projects. At that time, adoption of such technologies was still limited, and conventional construction relied heavily on manual surveying, operator judgement, and post-construction quality checks.
The POC involved integrating GPS-guided motor graders, intelligent compactors, and 3D-controlled pavers, supported by cloud-based software for real-time monitoring and data exchange. The results were immediately visible on site:
- Elimination of conventional survey teams for grading activities
- Direct upload of design models to machines, guided by GNSS/GPS
- Real-time monitoring of grading accuracy and compaction coverage
- Remote sharing of as-built data with project and QA teams
- Measurable improvements in machine efficiency and productivity
Most importantly, the system delivered tangible business outcomes:
- Significant time savings due to faster grading and reduced rework
- Cost optimisation through accurate material placement and avoidance of over-excavation
- Higher accuracy in achieving design levels and slopes
- Continuous digital quality records instead of point-based manual testing
- Improved transparency through cloud dashboards accessible to multiple stakeholders
Based on the success of this POC, nearly 10 machine units were subsequently deployed, demonstrating scalability and operational viability.
These field-level results contributed directly to policy-level transformation. In June 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways formally issued a circular mandating the national adoption of Automated & Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AI-MC) for major highway projects. The circular highlights benefit such as automatic machine-guided construction, digitised construction data, adherence to design specifications, time efficiency, reduced wastage, real-time monitoring, and enhanced durability of road assets.
Under this framework, contractors are now required to deploy:
- 3D machine guidance on motor graders
- Intelligent compaction systems on rollers
- 3D-controlled asphalt pavers
- Cloud-based platforms for real-time data sharing between field and office
The specifications also mandate generation of measurable digital records, enabling owners and engineers to track grading, compaction, and paving performance continuously rather than relying solely on conventional spot testing.
Building on this foundation, NHAI has already awarded multiple projects using this technology and is in the process of rolling out across upcoming projects of highway development, with mandatory deployment on graders, compactors and pavers.
This journey from early POC to national-scale adoption clearly demonstrates how data-driven construction, connected equipment, and automation can convert disruption into opportunity. What began as a pilot to improve execution efficiency has evolved into a countrywide digital construction mandate, setting new benchmarks for productivity, quality assurance, and transparency.
For practitioners, the key takeaway is clear: digitisation is no longer optional. When implemented thoughtfully, it reduces dependency on manual processes, improves predictability in delivery, and enables project teams to respond faster to supply chain and execution challenges. The success of AI-MC in India underscores how frontline innovation, supported by policy and collaboration, can reshape an entire sector.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ratan Lal Kashyap, President- SCM, Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon
A-303, Navbharat
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Zakaria Bunder Road,
Sewri (West), Mumbai - 400 015,
Maharashtra, India
+91-22-24193000
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