CII hosts Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure Conclave 2026

CII Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure Conclave 2026

***Virendra Singh Rawat***

Industry body CII, in association with Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) & Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), today organised the 1st edition of ‘CII Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure Conclave 2026’.

The event focussed on the holistic development of the state with subject experts, policy makers & industry in Lucknow.

Balkar Singh, Secretary, UP Housing & Urban Planning Department, highlighted that the development of the State Capital Region (SCR) is key to Uttar Pradesh’s future growth, with a vision to develop Lucknow as part of an integrated regional ecosystem with surrounding districts as growth centres.

He emphasised that infrastructure development must focus not just on expansion, but on quality and sustainability — through world-class roads, strong urban infrastructure, and well-planned public spaces to enhance livability.

He noted that Uttar Pradesh’s liberal building by-laws and urban regulations are enabling faster approvals and improving ease of doing business in the sector.

Christoph Schnellmann, CEO, Noida International Airport (NIA), highlighted the transformative potential of the Airport as a key enabler of regional growth and global connectivity.

He noted the airport has been developed as a next-generation, sustainable aviation hub and reflects global best practices in sustainable infrastructure, integrating green building standards, efficient energy use, and long-term resilience into its design and execution.

Shashank Choudhary, Additional CEO, UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) highlighted the pivotal role of expressway-led development in driving Uttar Pradesh’s economic transformation.

He noted the state’s rapidly expanding expressway network is not only improving connectivity but also unlocking new investment corridors, enabling industrial growth, and strengthening logistics efficiency across regions.

He emphasised that UPEIDA is focusing on developing integrated industrial and logistics hubs along these expressways, creating a conducive ecosystem for manufacturing, warehousing, and allied sectors.

This corridor-based development approach is helping to expand the state’s economic geography and bring emerging regions into the mainstream of growth.

Vandana Sehgal, Dean & Principal, FOAP, AKTU, highlighted India’s affordable housing ecosystem is evolving through a strong convergence of academia, policy, and on-ground innovation.

Initiatives such as the Light House Project in Lucknow and national platforms like Habitat Forum are demonstrating scalable, prefab, and climate-responsive housing solutions.

The focus is now shifting from mass housing delivery to integrated, sustainable, and community-oriented habitats, where affordability is driven not just by cost, but by efficiency, resilience, and quality of living.

Anjani Kumar Pandey, Business Head, Omaxe highlighted the growing importance of integrated urban development in driving real estate growth across the state.

Ayodhya is one of the most significant emerging real estate destinations in the state, driven by the surge in religious tourism and large-scale infrastructure development.

He noted that the city is witnessing unprecedented growth in demand for hospitality, retail, and residential spaces, supported by improved connectivity, urban infrastructure, and government-led development initiatives.

Gaurav Gupta, Director, SG Estates & Secretary, CREDAI National stated real estate is emerging as a critical engine of economic growth, closely linked with infrastructure expansion, employment generation, and urban transformation.

He appreciated the progressive reforms such as the new building bylaws as an important shift towards growth-oriented planning.

He called for a collaborative approach between government and industry to ensure that urban growth in the state remains inclusive, efficient, and future-ready.