India, 27 Oct. : As the Mumbai Centre of the Builders Association of India (BAI) celebrates its 50th year, an installation ceremony was held in which Mr. Mahesh M. Mudda assumed office as the National Vice President of BAI, while Mr. Sunil G. Muthreja took charge as the Chairman of the BAI Mumbai Centre along with the newly appointed executive committee. The grand event, held recently and attended by Maharashtra’s Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar, as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, Ashish Shelar said that builders and contractors will play a crucial role in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047. He noted that when India completes 100 years of independence and is recognized as a developed nation, the contribution of builders and developers will be significant and cannot be overlooked. He also urged builders and contractors to actively participate in the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and work in coordination with the government.
“The use of AI will make work more efficient and faster, and therefore its adoption is essential. At the same time, special attention must be paid to environmental balance while undertaking infrastructure development,” the minister advised.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from various sectors, industry leaders, eminent personalities, and a large number of members from the construction industry. Along with Mudda and Muthreja, Narendra Panani took charge as Vice Chairman, Rakesh Shah as Secretary, Shivshankar Lature as Treasurer, Rajan Shah as joint-secretary and Rajendra Pai as Joint Treasurer. BAI National Honorary Secretary Aniruddha Nakhawa and National Honorary Treasurer Jaiprakash Bhatia were also present. The event was grsced by former BAI President Avinash Patil and BAI Maharashtra State President Prakash Menda.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahesh M. Mudda expressed gratitude and outlined his vision for the future of the construction industry, stating that the sector’s role in nation-building is fundamental. “We salute the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving transformative infrastructure development across the country, and also appreciate Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for accelerating infrastructure and housing projects in the state,” he said. He highlighted the contributions of key government bodies such as the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, MMRDA, MHADA, and SRA in urban development and affordable housing, emphasizing that the construction sector is not just an industry but the backbone of India’s growth story.
He also put forward several important demands, including the need to establish a separate ministry for the construction sector, grant it industry status, recognize deserving contributors with national honours like the Padma Awards, and further strengthen skill development initiatives. He additionally urged the Maharashtra government to introduce a state-level award similar to Maharashtra Bhushan for individuals making significant contributions to infrastructure and nation-building.
Mudda reiterated his commitment to working in coordination with all stakeholders to enhance the stature, standards, and impact of the construction industry, noting that the ceremony marked an important milestone for the Mumbai Centre and reflected a collective resolve to strengthen collaboration and guide the sector towards future growth under new leadership.
While assuming office as Chairman of the BAI Mumbai Centre, Sunil Muthreja spoke about the need for reforms to strengthen the building and construction sector in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. “Given the growing importance of the sector in infrastructure and economic development, the Maharashtra government should take into account the unique, project-based, and dynamic nature of the construction industry while implementing the new labour code. The BAI intends to establish a training centre for construction workers in the MMR and request the government to allocate suitable land for this purpose,” he said.
He further noted that, considering the large-scale infrastructure and real estate development in the region, BAI is promoting the use of alternative construction materials and sustainable practices such as precast materials and water-saving construction chemicals.
Builders' Association of India was founded in 1941. Over the decades, it has grown into the apex body representing the Civil Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure, and Real Estate sectors in India. With more than 265 branches across the country and a membership exceeding 1,50,000, BAI stands today as one of the oldest, largest, and most respected national organizations of Independent India. Headquartered in Mumbai the financial capital and economic powerhouse of the nation BAI continue to serve as a vital bridge between the industry and the Central, State, and Local Governments.
