Corrosion Costs India Billions Annually: A Call for Effective Protection Measures

Corrosion is causing significant financial losses in India, estimated at Rs 14 lakh crore annually, which is about 4.3% of the GDP. This deterioration affects vital infrastructure, including bridges and power systems, leading to increased public spending and reduced productivity. A recent report highlights the urgent need for effective corrosion protection measures to mitigate these losses and enhance economic growth. Discover the implications of corrosion on India's economy and the potential benefits of implementing better protection strategies.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2026, 14:06 IST

The Economic Impact of Corrosion in India

Corrosion is inflicting significant damage on iron products in India, leading to substantial economic losses. A recent report estimates that corrosion-related damage costs the nation around Rs 14 lakh crore annually, which represents approximately 4.3% of the country's GDP. This deterioration affects critical infrastructure such as bridges, highways, railways, ports, power systems, buildings, and industrial assets, as highlighted in a report by Nomura.

The report, referenced by a prominent economic publication, emphasizes that India's high corrosion costs and susceptibility pose a growing macroeconomic threat, with potential adverse effects on GDP in the future. It suggests that implementing effective corrosion protection strategies could potentially boost GDP by as much as 1.5%.

The power generation and transmission sectors are projected to suffer the most from corrosion, followed by telecommunications, automotive, infrastructure, and railways. Corrosion not only escalates public expenditure on infrastructure upkeep and replacement but also diminishes the productivity of national assets, strains government budgets, and jeopardizes public safety and resource efficiency.

Globally, many nations categorize infrastructure based on environmental exposure and recommend corrosion protection measures, including China and the United States. In contrast, India tends to apply uniform standards across varying climatic conditions.

Infrastructure such as roads and bridges is particularly vulnerable to corrosion due to exposure to water, pollution, and heavy loads, which accelerates deterioration. This situation underscores the urgent need for effective corrosion protection to safeguard lives and public assets.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established norms for corrosion protection, outlining methods like inhibitors and coatings. However, these guidelines do not specify which techniques—such as zinc coating, epoxy coating, hot-dip galvanization, or weathering steel—should be employed under particular conditions.