Curation Team
ROORKEE: India’s first 3D concrete-printed rural house was inaugurated at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee on Wednesday. The prototype, built under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G), was developed to offer a fast, affordable and sustainable housing solution in village settings using advanced construction technology and eco-friendly materials.
Union minister of state for rural development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, who inaugurated the structure, said it marked a significant milestone in India’s rural housing journey. He said the house blends traditional wisdom with cutting-edge science and represents a scalable model that can be replicated in rural India. “These 3D-printed houses are not merely about technology — they represent a future where housing is affordable, adaptable, and environmentally responsible,” Pemmasani said.
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is an emerging technology in construction that uses robotic systems to print structures layer by layer using concrete or similar materials. It offers several advantages, including faster build times, reduced labour costs, and lower material waste. In April 2021, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled India’s first 3D-printed house at IIT-Madras. Developed by the startup Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions, the 600sqft urban prototype was designed to offer affordable housing for low-income families in cities and was completed in just five days using a proprietary concrete mix. However, that house was not part of any rural housing scheme.The Roorkee house, by contrast, is the first rural version designed under PMAY-G by scientists at CSIR-CBRI. Unlike the IIT-Madras model, it uses sustainable cement mixes incorporating agro-industrial waste such as fly ash and bagasse ash. It is also aligned with PMAY-G norms for rural homes, which include essential amenities.
Researchers said the prototype demonstrates significant time and cost efficiency. A rural house measuring 25 square metres can be printed in under a week at an estimated cost of Rs 1.8 lakh, compared to four to five months needed for traditional rural construction. The CBRI model is designed to last over 70 years. “This is the first time 3D printing has been directly applied to rural housing delivery, combining speed, affordability, and green materials for scalable village use,” said Dr Ajay Chourasia, chief scientist at CBRI. He led the project along with scientist Ashish Kapoor.
Pemmasani also cited achievements under PMAY-G during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, noting that 3.85 crore houses have been sanctioned so far, with 2.87 crore already completed. He said independent studies have reported a 17% increase in household incomes and a 14% reduction in hospital visits due to better housing. Additionally, 72% of the houses were registered in the names of women, contributing to women’s empowerment and family well-being.
He acknowledged CBRI’s past innovations, highlighting its development of over 250 region-specific, disaster-resilient housing designs, and rural technologies like non-erodible mud plaster, simple strengthening methods, and the two-pit pour-flush toilet system that benefitted over 5 crore households under Swachh Bharat Mission.
He urged CBRI to pilot 100 cost-effective 3D-printed houses to demonstrate scalability across rural India. He also called for integrating thermal comfort, climate resilience, renewable energy systems, and mason training into the design. “Scientific innovation must translate into direct empowerment for rural families,” he added. “We have developed a wholesome rural housing technology. Today’s inauguration marks the beginning of its journey into the villages of India,” said institute director R Pradeep Kumar.
