CFI Appoints M V Satish as President, Calls for DPR Reforms and QCBS Adoption

The Construction Federation of India (CFI), the apex industry body representing India’s leading EPC and infrastructure companies, has elected its new National Council and appointed Office Bearers for a two-year term (FY27 & FY28). Mr. M. V. Satish, Advisor to CMD and Lead Ambassador for the Middle East, L&T Ltd., has been elected as President; Ms. Priti Patel, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, Tata Projects Ltd., as Vice President; and Mr. Ajit Bhate, Managing Director, Precast India Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd., as Treasurer.

CFI office bearers and members, while proactively engaging in policy advocacy dialogues with the PMO, Finance Ministry, Ministry of Law & Justice, MoRTH, NITI Aayog, and multilateral development banks such as the World Bank, JICA, and ADB, have highlighted critical challenges faced by the construction sector. These include inefficiencies in arbitration mechanisms, removal of arbitration from contracts, over-reliance on L1 contracting, poor DPR quality, and complex contractual frameworks.

CFI has recommended several reforms, including transitioning from L1 to QCBS (Quality and Cost-Based Selection), strengthening DPR quality, preserving the arbitration mechanism through the adoption of institutional arbitration (DICA, MICA, SIAC) for large claims beyond ₹10 crore, introducing flexible contract clauses, ensuring timely payments, and establishing dedicated fast-track land acquisition cells.

These appointments reflect CFI’s continued commitment to strong leadership and strategic direction for the infrastructure and construction sector in India.

CFI National Council

The newly constituted National Council includes eminent representatives from leading infrastructure and construction companies:

Mr. Ajit Gulabchand, President Emeritus – CFI & Chairman, HCC Ltd.
Mr. M. V. Satish, President – CFI & Advisor to CMD and Lead Ambassador for the Middle East, L&T Ltd.
Ms. Priti Patel, Vice President – CFI & Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, Tata Projects Ltd.
Mr. Ajit Bhate, Treasurer – CFI & MD, Precast India Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Vinayak Pai, Immediate Past President – CFI & MD and CEO, Tata Projects Ltd.
Mr. Akhil Gupta, Immediate Past Vice President – CFI & CEO, Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Arjun Dhawan, Vice Chairman & MD, HCC Ltd.
Dr. Nalin Gupta, MD, J. Kumar Infraprojects Ltd.
Mr. Vimal Kejriwal, MD & CEO, KEC International Ltd.
Mr. Yogen Lal, CEO (BD & Strategy), Welspun Enterprises Ltd.
Mr. Hardik Agrawal, Director, Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Krishnam Raju P., Vice President (CBD), NCC Ltd.
Mr. K. L. Daga, Whole-Time Director, Patel Engineering Ltd.
Mr. Arjan Rabari, CMD, LCC Ltd.

Since its inception in 2000, CFI has been a pivotal force in policy advocacy, regulatory reforms, skill development, and strategic engagement with key stakeholders to fast-track infrastructure development in India. It represents leading EPC and infrastructure companies, including L&T, HCC, Tata Projects, J. Kumar Infraprojects, Patel Engineering, Megha Engineering, Welspun Enterprises, KEC International, NCC Ltd., DRAIPL, Precast India Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd., CEM India, HG Infra, APCO Infra, Kalpataru Projects, Simplex, S P Singla, Jakson Infra, Schwing Stetter, Sany India, and many more.