We are planning to grow as one-stop solution provider for specialised works.

- Madhusudan Sarda

Managing Director, Gabion Technologies India Pvt Ltd

What is your overview on the Union Budget 2023-24?

Our Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has designated 'Infrastructure and Productive capacity' as one of the seven 'Saptarishi' Budget 2023 priority areas for this fiscal year. Infrastructure investment is a primary focus, as capital expenditure for the fiscal year has increased by 33% to Rs 10 lakh crore. The proposed capital investment outlay is now 3.3% of India's GDP. A capital outlay of Rs 2.40 lakh crore has been provided for Railways, which is the highest ever outlay.

Infrastructure spending has a multiplier effect on the economy. This means that the project not only contributes immediately through increased demand for labour and construction materials, but also at a later stage because of the connectivity it brings. Goods and people will travel more quickly between destinations and logistics costs decrease.

How far will the Budget help in pushing the further growth of your business segment?

Green national highway projects, PM GatiShakti, and Parvatmala schemes were launched with transformative approach for economic growth and sustainable development under the visionary Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari. Government schemes created huge demand for sustainable construction materials and construction technologies with low carbon footprint which gave a big push to companies like us who are working towards sustainability.

We offer diverse range of geo-synthetic products which are made in India and have developed sustainable construction technologies as per project requirements which makes us stand out in the construction industry.

Implementation of the Budget proposals is key. What are your views on this?

The GatiShakti programme represents a paradigm shift in decision-making to break down departmental silos. All existing and proposed economic zones, as well as multimodal connectivity infrastructure, are mapped on a single platform in the proposed Plan. Individual projects from various line Ministries would be examined and sanctioned in the future within the parameters of the overall Plan, resulting in effort synchronisation. GatiShakti will collaborate to build a world-class, seamless multi-modal transportation network in India. The National Master Plan will use cutting-edge technology and IT tools to coordinate infrastructure planning. One example is a GIS-based Enterprise Resource Planning system with 200+ layers for evidence-based decision-making. Another example is the use of satellite imagery for monitoring. Digitization played a big role.

This level of implementation should come to village level projects where all departments: Roads, Railways, Hydraulics, Electrical, Mahagas, all will have coordinated projects work so that reworking will be avoided.

Considering the year 2023-24 is the penultimate year of the election, what kind of push in project execution are you expecting this year?

Long time pending projects get completed before elections. Elections always act like catalyst for many infrastructure projects. We expecting critical projects under scheme of the Green Highway projects which were funded by World Bank will be completed before elections.

How are you planning your investment and expansion plans in the year 2023-24?

Looking at the upcoming market demands, we have expanded our manufacturing plant this year to 11,000 sq m of area. We are planning to launch new products and invest in new sustainable technologies as per project demands. We are planning to grow as one-stop solution provider for specialized works such as Gabion Gravity Wall, Gabion Fascia RSW, RCC Panel Fascia RSW, Anchored Gabion Fascia Wall, Slope Stabilization, Rock Fall Protection, River Training and Erosion Control.

What kind of growth are you expecting in the year 2023-24? What is your outlook on 2023-24?

The year 2023-24 will bring a lot of opportunities to grow for all contractors, construction material manufacturers who are working infrastructure sector. Every year, we aim to bring new geo-synthetic products and construction technologies which will maintain harmony with nature while building the country's infrastructure. For geo-synthetics specific sector, we are expecting 30-50% growth in our business this year.

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