India’s construction industry is advancing and embracing new technologies, and thereby throwing up exciting opportunities for women to grow professionally in traditionally male-dominated roles. With the advent of robotics, digital twins, and remote controlling, the field is becoming more accessible to women as the focus shifts from labor-intensive tasks to tasks that require mental agility.

India’s construction industry is advancing and embracing new technologies

However, construction companies need to increase gender diversity in their employees in order to foster a culture of inclusivity, and provide their women workforce an enabling environment wherein they can strive to become leaders.

While there has been a significant increase in the number of women entering the construction industry in recent years, gender bias still limits their representation in technical areas, including at job sites, with only a few getting managerial positions.

NBM&CW interviews some of these women who have overcome several challenges to achieve success. Their journeys reveal that companies that encourage different perspectives and values create a better work environment, and are likely to achieve greater success along the way.

Dola Roychowdhury - Founder Director, GCube Consulting Engineers LLP
Geotechnical, Marine & Environmental Engineering
The pay parity issue is very subtle and fragmented. It doesn't exist at entry levels any longer - but tends to widen as you go up the chain and hit that invisible ceiling. Compared to the global gender ratio of about 12%, India's female ratio is much lowe ... Read More
Minimol Korulla - Maccaferri ISEAP
The global Infrastructure Construction industry
The global Infrastructure Construction industry currently has a female workforce ratio of 10% to 14%, while in India it is 8% to 12%. However, the representation of women in senior managerial roles is less than 2% - both globally and in India. The lack of ... Read More
Rubee Kongbrailatpam - Public Works Department, Manipur
Public Works Department
The shift in perspective towards women's roles in the construction industry and the de-genderization of roles is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Stereotypes and prejudices against women in construction ... Read More
Dr. Ambika Behl - CSIR-Central Road Research Institute
lack of knowledge about the industry
Gender-based discrimination, the harsh work environment of construction sites, lack of knowledge about the industry, and a shortage of successful women in construction as role models, present significant barriers to entry for women. In India, the ... Read More
Atasi Das - G R Infraprojects, Gurugram
The construction industry, including roadways, railways, housing
It's time to change the myth that "the infrastructure industry is a man's world and that it is not really a place for women." By promoting equal opportunities and gender sensitivity in the workplace, we can encourage more women to pursue a career in ... Read More
Shruti Choudhari - BL Kashyap and Sons
majority of women in the tender and contracts department
Over the past decade, we have witnessed significant changes at BL Kashyap, including women-led planning, design, and HR departments. We have a majority of women in the tender and contracts department as well as women on-site in key roles during ... Read More
Sandhya Rasakatla - Hindustan Zinc
Promoting inclusivity and diversity in the construction industry
Gender-based bias and stereotypes continue to be prevalent in many industries, including the construction industry, where women often face challenges due to the perception that they are less capable than men. However, it is important to recognize ... Read More
Yogeshwari Rane - Hindustan Zinc
the mining industry is becoming a more inclusive and diverse field
As we are moving towards highly mechanized mines, the overall perception of mining industry as a male-dominated industry is changing since it is no more about just physical labour. As the mining industry has traditionally been considered a physically ... Read More
7 Years of RERA Of Promising Gains, Challenges & Pitfalls
After seven years of its journey, the landmark reform of RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Act) has made some remarkable gains in terms of regulating the sector and protecting the interests of homebuyers. Especially considering that two crucial years were

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National Ropeway Development Programme to Boost Real Estate
A massive USD 15 billion National Ropeway Development Programme of the Central Government, currently underway, will provide a major aerial connectivity boost to real estate, especially in Tier 2-3 cities that have high tourism potential. A Rs 1.25 lakh crore

Read more ...

J&K Realty and Infrastructure Development on Fast Track
As Jammu & Kashmir prepares to host G-20 Tourism Meet in Srinagar from 22-24 May 2023, the strides made by the Union Territory on urban development (in a run up to this conclave following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019), will provide

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Ashoka Buildcon Achieves Largest Continuous Concrete Pour for Building Project
Ashoka Buildcon Limited has several prestigious projects under its belt and has to its credit notable record-breaking achievements - the latest being casting of a raft with 12400 cubic meters of concrete. With this feat, the company is eager to get

Read more ...

Investment Bonanza in UP to Fast-Track - Real Estate & Infrastructure Development
Riding high on landmark reforms and performance-driven governance, Uttar Pradesh has received a record investment proposals of over 33.50 trillion from Indian and foreign investors at the recently organised 3-day Global Investor Summit (GIS) in Lucknow

Read more ...

Mega Projects: Redefining Geographies
Mega infrastructure projects like flyovers, elevated roads, highways, metros, bridges, tunnels, expressways, etc, are redefining how we interact with our surroundings; in fact, Infrastructure is intrinsically linked to everyday life and is a defining

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Major Connectivity Projects to Transform Urban Development Landscape of Delhi-NCR
With some state elections and general elections in sight, the Modi government has pulled out all stops to put its mega infrastructure projects on fast track for the socio-economic upliftment of people. A number of such key infrastructure projects

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Dola Roychowdhury - Founder Director, GCube Consulting Engineers LLP
The pay parity issue is very subtle and fragmented. It doesn't exist at entry levels any longer - but tends to widen as you go up the chain and hit that invisible ceiling. Compared to the global gender ratio of about 12%, India's female ratio is much lowe

Read more ...

Minimol Korulla - Maccaferri ISEAP
The global Infrastructure Construction industry currently has a female workforce ratio of 10% to 14%, while in India it is 8% to 12%. However, the representation of women in senior managerial roles is less than 2% - both globally and in India. The lack

Read more ...

Rubee Kongbrailatpam - Public Works Department, Manipur
The shift in perspective towards women's roles in the construction industry and the de-genderization of roles is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Stereotypes and prejudices against women in construction

Read more ...

Dr. Ambika Behl - CSIR-Central Road Research Institute
Gender-based discrimination, the harsh work environment of construction sites, lack of knowledge about the industry, and a shortage of successful women in construction as role models, present significant barriers to entry for women. In India, the

Read more ...

Atasi Das -  G R Infraprojects, Gurugram
It's time to change the myth that "the infrastructure industry is a man's world and that it is not really a place for women." By promoting equal opportunities and gender sensitivity in the workplace, we can encourage more women to pursue a career in

Read more ...

Shruti Choudhari - BL Kashyap and Sons
Over the past decade, we have witnessed significant changes at BL Kashyap, including women-led planning, design, and HR departments. We have a majority of women in the tender and contracts department as well as women on-site in key roles during

Read more ...

Sandhya Rasakatla - Hindustan Zinc
Gender-based bias and stereotypes continue to be prevalent in many industries, including the construction industry, where women often face challenges due to the perception that they are less capable than men. However, it is important to recognize

Read more ...

Yogeshwari Rane - Hindustan Zinc
As we are moving towards highly mechanized mines, the overall perception of mining industry as a male-dominated industry is changing since it is no more about just physical labour. As the mining industry has traditionally been considered a physically

Read more ...

Comprehensive BRO Habitat to Support Carbon Neutrality in Ladakh
Border Road Organisation (BRO) is a premier organisation for construction of roads and allied infrastructure along the border areas and has a vast footprint in the UT of Ladakh. It has extremely harsh and challenging terrains and sub-zero climate. It is

Read more ...

BRO’s Construction Activities Lead to Reverse Migration in Arunachal Pradesh
In India, the major drivers of both internal and international migration are unemployment, competitive labour market, poor livelihood prospects, and lack of proper infrastructure. Internal migration not only affects the livelihood of the people

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Godrej Appliances Awards Contract for End-To-End Supply Chain to Delhivery Ltd.
Godrej Appliances, a business unit of Godrej & Boyce, has awarded the contract to build and manage the pan-India supply chain for their air-cooler business to Delhivery Ltd., a largest fully integrated logistics provider. Through this partnership, Delhivery

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Infrastructure Sector to See Pre-Poll Boost in FY 2023-24
Having faced headwinds with slow pace of highway construction and port modernisation, besides project delays, the infrastructure sector is now set for a major boost in the pre-poll year of 2023, with a major budgetary and policy push from the

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