Not even the pandemic could stop the who’s who of the construction fraternity coming together to celebrate, when CW awarded the Person of the Year in the Public and Private Sectors, the Emerging Company of the Year, the Project of the Year, the Largest and Fastest Growing Construction Companies and the Top Challengers 2020-21. … October 22, Hotel Four Seasons, Mumbai … The mood was upbeat at the 19th CONSTRUCTION WORLD ANNUAL AWARDS (CWAA) 2021 where, despite the pandemic, the stalwarts of the construction industry gathered at Hotel Four Seasons Hotel in Mumbai on October 22 to celebrate victory. The room, replete with winners, jury, partners and special guests, had a glorious vibe, one that resonated with the joy of meeting and greeting in person after about a year-and-a-half! Even with masks on at all times (except when on stage), the expressions were evident – those of joy, success, and more power! It was a magical evening. Part of the India Construction Festival (ICF),  the 19th edition of CWAA was presented by Apollo Tyres. Adding to the celebration was the fact that CW reached a major milestone in its journey: it turns 25 this year, celebrating its silver jubilee! And this milestone is being celebrated in a most unique way, as you will see reading ahead.A milestone Another highlight of the evening was the launch of the CONSTRUCTION WORLD 25rd Anniversary Edition, a blockbuster issue with the theme ‘Building Value’. In this edition, 25 industry captains share their views on their action plans for growth and success. Victory bells were pealing in every part of the room. In his welcome note, Pratap Padode, Founder & President, FIRST Construction Council and Editor-in-Chief, CW, said, “Despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, India attracted its highest ever total FDI inflow of $81.72 billion in FY2020-21. In fact, India was the fifth largest recipient of FDI inflows in the world in FY2020-21. CRISIL estimates investments in industry could rise 30 per cent in FY22-24. The infrastructure and construction sectors are vying for mega projects in high-speed rail, corridors, expressways, airports, affordable housing, solar energy, roads and rail.” In its 25 years, CW has witnessed several highs and lows as India became the world's sixth-largest economy by nominal GDP and the third largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). “During this time, CW has pivoted to becoming an agile information provider through its website and webinars. And it has now brought back the merits of physical meetings in the form of the 7th India Construction Festival. It is time to cheer our winners louder this time round as they have overcome and bagged honours in a year when even sustenance has been a challenge. They are true champions!” he averred. What’s more, CW also launched its video series, ‘India’s Construction Champions’, as a celebration of completing 25 years in the construction industry. The series showcases 25 companies from across the country that have focused on building India. Speaking about CW’s transition from its print to digital avatar, Tanveer Padode, Head-Operations, ASAPP Info Global Group, said, “We transitioned from print to digital, and that too a different form of digital. Not just articles, but videos that could tell you the same story. We have launched a wide range of activities. We have also extensively covered some prestigious construction projects across the country. We began this endeavour to recognise the effort of all the people involved in actually completing a project. We are constantly developing more tools that will enable the construction industry with more transparency and information.” Chiefs speak The chief guest at the event, Bhushan Gagrani, Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, Government of Maharashtra, said in his address that the regulatory mechanism is improving; financial tie-ups and new systems are infusing capital into construction and infrastructure. “The private and public sectors should come together to avoid delays in project completions,” he added. “And CONSTRUCTION WORLD is providing more than a platform to bring all the players together to exchange ideas and bring in new thoughts and robust energies into the entire world of construction. I wish CW and all the companies the very best and hope to build a new nation, a new future for the next generation of India.” In his keynote address, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, CEO, Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), said, “In Uttar Pradesh, we have gone forward with our construction projects despite COVID. We will have an ‘express Pradesh’ and we at UPEIDA will ensure that the vision of the honourable prime minister and honourable chief minister is actually executed on the ground. I am sure that when there is be an opportunity, we will partner with CW to show and take forward the good work in our state.” True champions COVID-19 has changed the world irrevocably in every way – how we live, work, connect with each other and conduct business. The concept of work from home has been adopted by most service providers; the supply chain has changed; and more automation has been instituted in most manufacturing facilities. These are difficult times. But despite all the challenges, some companies managed significant growth on the operational and financial fronts. At CONSTRUCTION WORLD, we recognised their efforts by ranking these top performers. Despite all the obstacles, uncertainties and challenges, these entities managed to persevere and prevail, posting growth and exhibiting excellence. And it is these companies from the universe of construction and contracting that CW honoured for their outstanding work. Awards and categories The names of India’s Largest and Fastest Growing Construction Companies were unveiled at the event. The jury also selected the CONSTRUCTION WORLD Person of the Year in the Public and Private Sectors from a list of nominations put forth by the editorial team. Further, in line with our theme of ‘Building Value’ and to bring in more value to the awards, in the 19th edition, CW introduced nine new categories this year through nominations: 1) Project Manager of the Year 2) Construction Project of the Year 3) Woman in Construction for the Year 4) Innovation of the Year 5) Emerging Company of the Year 6) Emerging Construction Equipment of the Year 7) Product of the Year 8) CSR Company of the Year and 9) International Project of the Year. From these, winners were selected in two categories: the CONSTRUCTION WORLD Project of the Year and the CONSTRUCTION WORLD Emerging Company of the Year. FIRST Construction Council has also created another model for Top Challengers, which takes into consideration promising companies – including infrastructure developers, building materials and construction equipment manufacturers – having studied their ability to grow over the previous year despite challenging circumstances. From the winners Lt General Rajeev Chaudhry, Director General, Border Roads Organisation, received the trophy for ‘CW Person of the Year 2021’ in the Public Sector, and Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group, received the trophy for ‘CW Person of the Year 2021’ in the Private Sector.  Telling us that the company will be turning 50 next year, Hardik Agrawal, Director, Dineshchandra R Agrawal InfracoHardik Agrawal, Director, Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon, said, “In cricket there is term called the furious 50s; we are in that phase and look forward to reach the nervous 90s!” Ajay Hans, CEO, Welspun Enterprises, in full positivity, said that while the award is being given to the company for the ‘Small’ category, “We are looking forward to go to the next category soon.” For his part, while thanking CW for the award, Himanshu Chaturvedi, Chief Strategy Officer, Tata Projects, said, “For us, the transition from a beginner in the EPC segment to a full-service company in all segments has been an exciting journey. We look forward to more excitement.” Vikaas Ahluwalia, Whole Time Director, Ahluwalia Contracts (India), said he was humbled to be at the event. “I think we are the smallest construction company here today at this gathering and I am really humbled to receive this award. Let’s all work hard together and build a better India; we all are capable of doing that.” Partners in success The 19th CONSTRUCTION WORLD Annual Awards was presented by Apollo Tyres. Platinum Partner - APCO Infratech; Gold Partner - Larsen & Toubro; Silver Partner - TATA Projects; Associate Partners - Welspun Enterprises, Shyam Steel, Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon, Action Construction Equipment, J Kumar Infraprojects, KNR Constructions, GR Infra, Terex India, Sany India and BC India; and Association Partner - ICEMA. We thank all our partners for their support and congratulate our winners once again. Read on to know more about the winners and jury, and experience the magic of the evening! Partners: 19th CONSTRUCTION WORLD ANNUAL AWARDS Presenting Partner: Apollo Tyres Platinum Partner: APCO Infratech Gold Partner: Larsen & Toubro Silver Partner: Tata Projects Associate Partners: Welspun, Shyam Steel, Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon, Action Construction Equipment, J Kumar Infraprojects, KNR Constructions, GR Infraprojects, Terex India, Sany India, and BC India. Association Partner: ICEMA Winners CW Person of the Year - Public Sector: Lt General Rajeev Chaudhry, Director General, Border Roads OrganisationCW Person of the Year - Private Sector: Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group Emerging Company of the Year: Infra.Market Project of the Year: Mumbai Metro Line 2A Largest Construction Company: Larsen & Toubro Fastest Growing Construction Companies (Large): 1st GR Infraprojects 2nd Tata Projects 3rd Afcons Infrastructure Fastest Growing Construction Companies (Medium): 1st (tie) APCO Infratech and Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon 3rd HG Infra Engineering Fastest Growing Construction Companies (Small): 1st Welspun Enterprises 2nd PSP Projects 3rd Ahluwalia Contracts (India) Top Challengers 2021 (in no order of ranking)Action Construction Equipment APL Apollo Tubes BEML ELGI Equipments HG Infra Engineering Jindal Stainless JK Cement KNR Constructions Mangalam Cement Ramco Industries Ramky Infrastructure Sagar Cements Somany Ceramics Visaka Industries