We foresee a very vibrant and dynamic construction industry in the years ahead.

Rajesh Modi

Vice President - Infrastructure Division, Bajaj Steel Industries Limited

How do you look at the current scenario of Indian construction industry?

The construction/infrastructure segment is experiencing one of its best phases with special emphasis from the Government both Central and State, ensuring a phenomenal boom. This sustained growth will continue for another 15-20 years and newer and bolder opportunities will continue to arise. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and towns are able to see the effects of this growth with the introduction of metro train services, flyovers, highways, airports, railways and above all, roads in rural and urban areas along with adequate infrastructure for warehousing and logistics which are coming up at break-neck speed. The industry too is finding newer avenues to be a part of this growth story.

What is the importance of steel in the current construction industry scenario?

Living up to the adage ‘SOLID AS STEEL’, steel plays an important role in providing the rigidity that modern construction services demand. Be it modern roads made of RCC, bridges and flyovers, tunnels, railways, urban and rural infrastructure like housing, warehousing, sports arena and so many more structures are just not comprehendible without steel. The entire sports arena with seating capacity in excess of 40,000 were installed before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and ICC T20 World Cup in USA and subsequently removed after successful hosting of the event. This would never be possible with conventional RCC structures.

Steel structures have also been at the forefront providing relief during natural calamities where bridges have been washed away.

The present emphasis of last mile storage by way of logistics parks is all possible due to steel structures which ensure not only the availability of goods but also at affordable rates.

What are the latest solutions offered by the company in steel buildings and prefabrications?

Bajaj Steel Industries through its infrastructure division is actively participating in ‘Nation Building with Steel’. We are providing design, detailing, manufacturing and erection services for all types of Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings for industrial applications, warehousing applications, Metro stations, multifloor buildings, cold storages, data centers, school buildings, hospitals, sports complexes and many more. BSIL is actively looking at integrating new technologies into the structures like use of light weight structures, use of nano technology sheeting material that provides longer life and greater wear resistance especially in corrosive atmosphere, etc.

The biggest aspect that a client has when working with Bajaj Steel Industries Ltd is the backward and forward integration of services that are on offer from our group divisions. We are in apposition to provide complete electrical panels and wiring systems required from the grid supply to machine/residential panels, Active Fire Fighting Services including the design, approval and installation to getting the final fire NOC, HVAC and solar power solutions which are usually a part of a project but is supplied by different vendors. This provides the client with a unique opportunity to engage one supplier for the complete project and ensure hassle-free deliverance.

How are these solutions contributing to the construction of safe and sustainable structures?

Safety, timely delivery and stability and robustness of design are the bedrock on which BSIL structures stand. The introduction of new software for design and detailing like MBS 2021 and Tekla have greatly enhanced not only the productivity but also helped optimize the design and detailing work ensuring accurate weights and BOQ.

The structures designed and manufactured have stood the test of time for the past 14 years and as a testimony to our product, we have almost 40% of our orders coming from repeat customers who have trusted BSIL for their services and workmanship. BSIL continues to strive to achieve greater heights by executing turnkey projects for prestigious clients like IOCL, Nuclear Fuel Complex, MSWC, Drytech and others. Designing structures with optimized weights and structures withstanding environmental and working conditions have ensured that we have a consistent growth for the past 5 years in excess of 20%.

What is your vision on India’s construction industry growth?

We foresee a very vibrant and dynamic construction industry in the years ahead. Conventional working methods will give way to new technology offering longer product life and aesthetics. We at BSIL expect a consistent CAGR of 20% or near about in the foreseeable future. The Indian construction market is growing at a rate faster than any developed country in the world. This trend will continue and will get stronger with the passage of time.

What are your plans for a sustainable future in Indian construction industry?

BSIL is aggressively targeting to tap into new and potential markets. We have an expansion plan finalized for South India and in Western Maharashtra with a possible foray into the Northern markets at a later date. We have already started construction of our second facility in Nagpur which will go into full scale production by end of September 2024. We have introduced an imported nano technology sheeting material, a first of its kind in India for reduced environmental and process corrosion which has found a very good response.