Every Building Should Carry a Durability Certificate, Proposes Minister Manohar Lal Khattar
New Delhi, June 18, 2026: In a major policy pitch aimed at protecting consumers and elevating building standards, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today proposed a mandatory certification mechanism indicating the expected lifespan of every building, NAREDCO said in a press release.
Speaking at the inaugural session of Bharat Buildcon 2026 in New Delhi, the Minister stated that buildings should be designed and constructed based on clearly defined durability standards. According to the Minister, a durability certification system would provide confidence to consumers regarding the safety and quality of structures while encouraging higher construction standards across the industry.
He observed that while modern buildings are generally designed for 60-70 years, India should also explore technologies capable of delivering structures with significantly longer life spans wherever feasible. At the same time, he underlined the importance of affordable housing across income categories, noting that housing solutions must cater to all sections of society, including economically weaker sections, middle-income families and premium housing segments.
Calling for greater adoption of emerging construction technologies, Khattar highlighted prefabricated construction systems, 3D printing, engineered bamboo and other innovative solutions capable of improving speed, quality and sustainability. He assured attendees that the Government remains committed to supporting the industry in adopting advanced technologies and innovative construction practices.
Industry leaders quickly came out in support of the quality mandate. Reacting to the announcement, Parveen Jain, President, NAREDCO, said, “NAREDCO welcomes the vision articulated by Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal Khattar ji. The focus on accelerating construction to meet the demands of rapid urbanisation, while ensuring quality, durability, sustainability and affordability, is both timely and essential for India’s growth trajectory. As the apex body representing the real estate sector, NAREDCO believes that the adoption of advanced construction technologies, innovative building materials and sustainable practices will be critical to delivering the scale of housing and infrastructure required for a rapidly urbanising nation. The proposal for a durability certification framework for buildings is a progressive initiative that can strengthen consumer confidence, improve accountability and elevate construction standards across the industry.”
