Building the nation: India’s top construction companies
The construction industry is India’s largest sector, and the second largest employer after agriculture, with a working population of over 51 million.
Thanks to rapid technological advancements, government initiatives, and growing demands, the sector is projected to account for US $1.4 trillion by 2025 and become the third-largest construction market in the world by 2027.
Amid this vibrant growth, several companies have emerged as industry leaders, known for their innovation, quality, and scale of operations.
Here is a list of the top ten construction companies that helped shape the nation:
- Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T), Mumbai
Founded in 1938 by two Danish engineers, L&T is an Indian multinational corporation involved in engineering, building, manufacturing, technology, and financial services.
The company has emerged as one of the world’s leading private enterprises, employing over 50,000 professionals across the globe, and a legacy of excellence in the Indian construction sector.
Their most famous projects include the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project, the Statue of Unity, and the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link.
2. Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. (RInfra), Mumbai
Founded in 1929 by Anil Dhirubhai Ambani, the company is part of the Reliance Group.
It is one of India’s top private-sector companies, specialising in electricity generation, infrastructure, construction, and defence.
Their major projects include the Mumbai Metro, Versova-Bandra Sea Link, Coal-based Thermal Power Plant, and Delhi Airport Expressway.
3. Macrotech Developers Pvt. Ltd. (Lodha Group), Mumbai
Established in 1980 as the ‘Lodha Group’, the company is renowned for its prowess in constructing and developing luxurious residential projects across cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, and London.
Notable projects include the World One Tower, the world’s tallest residential tower, The Park, and India’s first privately managed smart city, Palava City.
4. Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
Established in 1865, Shapoorji Pallonji is one of India’s oldest conglomerates with a legacy of over 150 years of innovation and excellence.
Its subsidiaries operate in six major categories: engineering and construction, real estate, infrastructure, energy, water, and financial services.
The company has a global presence, with reputed projects in over 60 countries. The company has shaped the country’s landscape since its inception with government projects like the RBI buildings, Metro stations, campuses for IIT, IIM, Delhi’s Kartavya Path etc.
It is also renowned for its commercial projects like the IKEA retail store, hospitality projects for ITC, Marriot, and luxury residential projects across the nation.
5. Punj Lloyd Ltd., Gurugram
Founded in 1982, the Punj Lloyd Group is a renowned corporation with 24 subsidiaries spread across the globe. It offers EPC services in multiple sectors like heavy engineering, power plants, renewable energy, and infrastructural projects like highways, terminals, airports, etc.
Notable projects include Bangalore Metro, Sikkim Airport, Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, Dabhol Power Plant etc.
6. GMR Group, New Delhi
Established in 1978, the GMR Group is renowned for its high-growth sector projects like airports, energy, urban infrastructure, and transportation.
It has an international presence, with projects spread across the Middle East, Europe, South Asia, and Asia Pacific.
Notable projects include International airports in Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kamalanga Thermal Power Plant, Warora Energy Power Plant, etc.
7. Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) Ltd., Mumbai
Founded in 1926, HCC Ltd is involved in multiple sectors like infrastructure development, engineering and construction, real estate, and energy across major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai.
Noteworthy projects include the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, the Coastal Road project, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Delhi-Faridabad Elevated Expressway, and the Chennai Bypass.
8. Tata Projects Ltd., Hyderabad
A subsidiary of the renowned Tata Group, Tata Projects was established in 1979 and is involved in multiple sectors like industrial and urban infrastructure, airports, refineries, petrochemical plants, and real estate across India’s major cities.
Landmark projects include the New Parliament Building, Noida International Airport, the Mumbai Monorail, and the Hyderabad Metro.
9. Gammon India Ltd., Mumbai
Established in 1922, Gammon India is renowned for its expertise in energy, urban, transport and, environmental infrastructure like bridges, dams, airports, pipelines, chemical and power plants across major Indian cities.
Noteworthy projects include the iconic Gateway of India, Delhi Metro, Mahatma Gandhi Setu, and the longest railway tunnel for Konkan Railways.
10. Sadbhav Engineering Ltd. (SEL), Ahmedabad
Founded in 1988, SEL specialises in EPC services for bridges, highways, mining, irrigation, and urban infrastructural projects.
In recent decades, the company has solidified its position in the infrastructure market with landmark projects of national significance like the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway and the Bharuch-Surat National Highway.
