From Roads to Prosperity: Gadkari Backs Construction Equipment Industry as Backbone of Viksit Bharat
New Delhi: The Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (ICEMA) convened its Annual Session 2025 today at ITC Maurya, New Delhi, with Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari delivering a powerful vision for the sector’s role in building a developed India by 2047.
Against the backdrop of the industry’s resilient 3% growth in FY25, with equipment sales reaching 1,40,191 units and exports growing by 10%, Shri Gadkari emphasized the critical need for technological advancement and sustainability in construction equipment. Green fuel, electric and hydrogen-based vehicles are not only environmentally responsible, they’re more economical and profitable,” he stated. “Adopting sustainable practices is a strategic move that benefits all stakeholders. If the CE industry embraces sustainability, quality, and innovation, I can guarantee global demand will grow significantly.”
Emphasizing infrastructure as a national growth engine, Shri Nitin Gadkari noted that roads, railways, and mining will be key drivers in the coming years. He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on quality lapses, “We are very strict about quality, whether it’s roads or equipment. Anyone compromising quality will be held accountable.”
He also urged the CE industry to invest in high-capacity machinery for tunneling and pre-cast construction, “We are building tunnels worth ₹3 lakh crore, but machinery availability remains a bottleneck. European nations have advanced tunnel boring equipment, we need to adapt such machines for Indian conditions. Pre-cast is now mandatory in many projects, requiring specialized machinery. I urge your industry to step up in these areas.”
The Minister also assured industry members that policy support is forthcoming, “We are bringing a new bill in the next Parliament session to address the challenges the CE industry is facing in competing with global players. Your concerns have been heard, and they will be addressed.”
Requesting the Hon’ Minister Mr. V. Vivekanand, President, ICEMA and Managing Director of Caterpillar India, said, “To build a safer, more efficient future, we must make skilling mandatory for all operators. It’s not just about complianceiit’s about improving quality, minimizing risk, and unlocking long-term productivity. We seek the Hon’ble Minister’s guidance on making this mandatory in our industry.”
Delivering the closing remarks Mr. Deepak Shetty, President-Designate, ICEMA and CEO & Managing Director of JCB India, said, “We stand at a critical juncture where innovation, sustainability, and workforce development will shape our growth. Strengthening domestic manufacturing and embracing digital transformation are key to India’s global competitiveness. We are fully committed to green practices and open to all collaborations that support a cleaner, greener future for the CE sector.”
The ICEMA Annual Session 2025 reinforced the construction equipment industry’s vital role in India’s infrastructure development. With shared commitment from government and industry leaders, the sector is poised to drive progress toward Viksit Bharat 2047 through cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and enhanced global competitiveness.
