Construction Delays and Project Failures due to the Biological Pandemic of COVID-19 and Lockdown Effects

Abstract

A biological disaster can be as risky in the construction sector as a natural hazard. In the past, a lot of damage in the construction industry has been observed in the pandemic of different biological disasters. Currently, the whole world is suffering from the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis, and it has left an imperishable effect on construction industries around the world. The construction due to the pandemic, with widespread restrictions on the movement of people and enforcement of partial or full lockdown since March 2020 has suffered badly. The coronavirus has harmed the construction industry, prompting project delays, cancellations, and layoffs yet it remains difficult for most firms to find the skilled staff and labor to hire within the appropriate cost budget. In Pakistan, a lot of construction projects have been postponed and suspended due to the current scenario. This paper presents survey-based research on the impacts of COVID-19 on the construction industry of Pakistan. In this paper, 100 people associated with the construction industry have been interviewed and surveyed for this research against different aspects of project delays and construction costs resulting from the spread of coronavirus. The results of the survey are presented in graphical form and conclusions were derived. Imposed lockdown, limited workforce, and lack of knowledge of digital technology are found to be the most critical factors for project delays and halts while an increase in the material cost is the main root cause of the increased cost of project and cost for the safety of employees has been observed as the least contributing factor on the cost of a construction project.