Civil engineering in Karnataka was severely impacted by unregulated practices, allowing unqualified individuals to operate and compromising infrastructure quality and public safety. Incidents such as multiple building collapses in Bengaluru and severe urban flooding underscored the urgent need for stringent regulation.
Key Issues:
Lack of professional standards and regulation.
Widespread infrastructure failures due to unqualified practitioners.
Investigations revealed non-compliance with technical standards and codal provisions.
In response, the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (ACCE) led efforts to form the Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Act-Steering Consortium (KPCEA-SC) in 2023, bringing together over 50 engineering associations. Their mission: push for legislation to regulate the profession and ensure public safety.
Political Support & Public Engagement:
Memorandums were submitted to key political leaders, with widespread backing from civil engineers across the state.
Public sessions across Karnataka saw significant participation, highlighting the urgent need for the act.
Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Act-2024 Events
KPCEB-2024 Passed in the Cabinet meeting on 15.02.2024
KPCEB-2024 Passed in the Karnataka Legislature’s Assembly on 21.02.2024
KPCEA-2024 Passed in the Karnataka Legislative Council on 23.02.2024
The Hon’ble Governor gave his consent to the Bill on 27.05.2024.
The final “Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Act-2024” was gazetted on 10.06.2024.
This act now regulates the profession, ensuring only qualified engineers are involved in critical infrastructure projects.
ABOUT ASSOCIATION
The Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Act - Steering Consortium (KPCEA-SC) is a collective body dedicated to the advancement, regulation, and advocacy of the civil engineering profession within Karnataka. The consortium is actively involved in the drafting, clarification, and interpretation of legislative frameworks that govern the profession, ensuring they align with national standards and the broader interests of public safety, sustainability, and professionalism.
Our key focus is to uphold the highest standards of civil engineering practice in Karnataka by ensuring that the profession is regulated in a manner through various initiatives, workshops, and events. We seek to protect the integrity of civil engineering by addressing concerns related to professional competence, legal adherence, and the collaboration between various allied professions. We provide guidance on the legal aspects of civil engineering practice, ensuring that the provisions of the Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Bill 2024 are consistent with existing laws, such as the Architects Act 1972 and the NBC 2016.
AIMS
Provide clear regulatory guidelines for the civil engineering profession in Karnataka.
Ensure that only qualified and registered civil engineers undertake engineering design, supervision, and construction activities.
Promote the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and compliance in civil engineering practices.
Foster collaboration between civil engineers and other allied professionals to enhance the quality of construction projects.
Standardize civil engineering practices across Karnataka to ensure consistency and quality in construction.
Enhance public trust in the civil engineering profession by establishing a transparent certification process.
Integrate modern engineering principles and sustainable practices into the civil engineering profession.
Support the continuous professional development of civil engineers through education and training programs.
Strengthen the legal framework governing civil engineering activities to prevent malpractice and ensure accountability.
Encourage innovation and the adoption of new technologies within the civil engineering sector.
OBJECTIVES
Establish a governing body to regulate the practice of civil engineers in the state.
Define and enforce the competencies required for civil engineers as per the National Building Code (NBC-2016).
Protect public safety by ensuring that engineering designs and constructions are carried out by certified professionals.
Clarify the roles and responsibilities of civil engineers in relation to other professions, such as architects and town planners.
Address and resolve any conflicts between the civil engineering profession and other allied professions through legal and professional frameworks.
Create a centralized registry for all practicing civil engineers in Karnataka, ensuring only qualified professionals are recognized.
Develop a robust certification process that includes regular assessments to maintain high professional standards.
Enforce strict penalties for unqualified individuals practicing civil engineering, thereby protecting the integrity of the profession.
Collaborate with educational institutions to align civil engineering curricula with industry needs and regulatory requirements.
Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices among civil engineers through professional networks and forums.
Ensure that civil engineering projects adhere to environmental sustainability standards and contribute to the well-being of the community.
Promote interdisciplinary collaboration with architects, urban planners, and other professionals to improve project outcomes.
Establish a grievance redressal mechanism for resolving disputes related to civil engineering services and practices.
IMPORTANCE OF KPCEA IN KARNATAKA
The Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Act (KPCEA) is important for enhancing the quality and safety of civil engineering practices in the state. Civil engineering impacts every aspect of daily life – from housing and infrastructure to water resources and sanitation. Although it plays a vital role, the profession currently lacks formal regulation in Karnataka, leading to significant issues such as substandard construction and unsafe buildings, particularly affecting lower and middle-income groups.
The KPCEA aims to address these challenges by establishing a regulatory framework for the profession. It ensures that civil engineering projects adhere to national standards and best practices, thereby safeguarding public safety and enhancing infrastructure quality. By stipulating that civil engineering tasks must be performed by certified professionals, the act is designed to exclude unqualified individuals from the construction field, thereby mitigating risks associated with poor construction practices.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Ensures that civil engineering projects adhere to safety standards, protecting citizens from poorly constructed buildings and infrastructure.
Establishes qualifications and standards for civil engineers, reducing the risk of substandard practices and ensuring competence in the field.
Promotes the use of best practices and adherence to national standards, leading to better quality and more durable infrastructure.
Discourages unqualified individuals from practising civil engineering, thereby reducing the prevalence of construction-related issues and legal disputes.
Encourages ongoing training and development for civil engineers, keeping them updated with the latest advancements and regulations in the field.
Provides a framework for holding civil engineers accountable for their work, ensuring that responsibilities and liabilities are clearly defined.
