In a strong endorsement of women’s growing role in infrastructure and real estate, NAREDCO Mahi, the women’s wing of the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), held a media interaction today in the capital. The event served as a curtain raiser to the upcoming 4th NAREDCO Mahi Convention, slated for 27th June, and focused on enabling women to lead India’s real estate growth as part of the nation’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. 

With India’s real estate sector currently valued at over $265 billion and projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, women remain underrepresented—comprising only 11–12 per cent of the sector’s workforce. However, participation is rising across the value chain, from project planning and construction to finance, compliance, and investment. 

Ms Smita Patil, President, NAREDCO Mahi, said the organisation is working with stakeholders to create inclusive pathways, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. “Beyond boardroom conversations, we are investing in ground-level initiatives like skilling, sanitation and safety at sites, water conservation, and solid waste management frameworks. Women are increasingly visible in legal, marketing, and client relations—areas once considered off-limits.” 

The 4th NAREDCO Mahi Convention will spotlight women transforming the sector, including a special session featuring father-daughter duos who have broken generational stereotypes. Other highlights include the ‘Recognition of Mahi Sheroes’, policy masterclasses, and a wellness and sustainable housing session—an area growing at over 16 per cent CAGR post-pandemic. 

Dr Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi, Chairperson, NAREDCO Mahi, said, “Women are bringing empathy, precision, and people-centric innovation to the way real estate is envisioned and delivered. From skilling and digital literacy to sustainability and leadership, our focus is on increasing women’s presence from project conceptualisation to final delivery.” 

Shri G Hari Babu, National President, NAREDCO, added, “India’s journey to becoming a top-three global economy cannot exclude half its population. Women today are not just participants—they are entrepreneurs, investors, and reformers. Their contribution spans from cooperative movements to boardroom leadership.” 

The session highlighted that over 20 per cent of India’s registered architects are women, with growing involvement in urban planning, heritage restoration, and green design. In Tier 1 cities, 15 per cent of brokerage and advisory firms are now women-led. While women make up 10 per cent of the construction workforce, they are increasingly entering skilled roles through formal skilling and digital certifications. In allied sectors such as interior design, ESG advisory, legal compliance, and digital platforms, female participation ranges from 35 to 40 per cent. 

“Women leaders today are not just transforming real estate—they’re reshaping the business of building India. From finance and urban planning to housing tech and sustainability, their leadership is unlocking new possibilities across the value chain,” said Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, NAREDCO. 

Harsh Vardhan Bansal, President, NAREDCO Delhi, noted that over 30 per cent of Indian startups are now women-led. He added that qualities like emotional intelligence and long-term thinking—often undervalued in infrastructure—are being brought to the forefront by women professionals who are redefining livability and sustainability. 

The upcoming convention will convene policymakers, developers, financiers, academics, and social change agents to explore how women can drive India’s inclusive infrastructure journey. As the nation drafts its Viksit Bharat blueprint, NAREDCO Mahi aims to place women at its very centre.