We achieved a remarkable 40 per cent reduction in energy consumption

29 Sep 2023 CW Team

Akhil K Gupta, CEO, SP E&C

What did it take for the remarkable transformation of Pragati Maidan into the iconic Bharat Mandapam, a world-class Integrated Exhibition cum Convention Center (IECC) In this interview with Akhil K Gupta, CEO, SP E&C, SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN delves into the intricacies of this monumental project, from its initial concept to its significant role in hosting the G20 summit, showcasing India’s prowess in delivering complex and globally benchmarked constructions.

How was the project infrastructure planned for the G20 meet, and what was the initial brief?

The comprehensive revamp plan of Pragati Maidan was conceptualised by the Indian Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) following the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. The objective was to rejuvenate the complex by demolishing the old facilities and developing a globally iconic Integrated Exhibition cum Convention Center (IECC). The master layout, under phase 1, covered 84 acre and was planned to accommodate a Convention Center with a capacity of 7,000 people, six large-sized exhibition halls, a 3,000-person capacity amphitheater, an administration building, a covered skywalk, F&B kiosks, ticket plazas, and external development. The scope of work was extensive, including high-end interiors and exteriors, the latest MEPF and ICT systems, high-level acoustics requirements, technology-driven AV systems, stage systems, lighting, musical fountains with light and sound shows, arts and sculptures, signage, landscaping, and street furniture, all to ensure that Bharat Mandapam remains one of the top convention centers in the world.

To read the full story, CLICK HERE.

Real Estate

30 Oct 2025

Premium Housing Demand Rises Despite 12% Dip in Overall Residential Sales in 2025: JLL

India’s residential property market witnessed a shift toward premium housing in the first nine months of 2025, even as total sales volumes moderated, according to JLL India’s latest residential market update.While overall home sales fell 12 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to 202,756 units during January–September 2025, the premium housing segment (priced at Rs 10 million and above) registered a 4 per cent growth, led by strong demand in the Rs 10.5–30 million price band — which grew nearly 10 per cent over the same period last year.The slowdown in total volumes was attributed to sustai..

Queensland, Australia Backs METS Delegation for India’s Flagship Mining Expo – IME 2025

Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) — the Queensland Government’s global business agency — is leading a high-level delegation of mining equipment, technology and services (METS) companies to the International Mining, Equipment & Minerals Exhibition (IME) 2025, being held in Kolkata from October 30 to November 2.The delegation highlights Queensland, Australia’s world-class mining expertise across digital innovation, mine safety, critical-minerals technology, and sustainable mining solutions — aligning with India’s rapid transformation of its mining and resources sector to supp..

ABB India Expands Local Production with New Line for Energy-Efficient Drives

ABB India has announced the expansion of its local manufacturing footprint with the launch of a new production line for variable speed drive (VSD) modules at its Peenya facility in Bengaluru. The new line enhances ABB’s local production capacity for drives by around 25 per cent, supporting the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.Equipped with state-of-the-art automation and digital monitoring technologies, the new line is designed to meet the rising demand for energy-efficient and high-performance drives across industries such as buildings, da..