RAHSTA 2026 maps the future of India’s roads

Mumbai: India’s road infrastructure sector is approaching a defining moment. After years of record highway construction, the focus is shifting from building more roads to building better roads – roads that are more sustainable, technology-enabled, sustainable and able to deliver greater lifecycle value.

These priorities will come into focus on the 16th RAHSTA EXPO 2026 (Roads and Highways Sustainable Technology and Advancement)to be held July 8-9, 2026But Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

organized by ASAPP Info Global Groupin collaboration with first construction councilThe 16th RAHSTA will take these discussions forward by bringing together the entire roads and highways ecosystem to explore solutions for the next phase of India’s infrastructure development.

With the theme “Roads, Highways, Bridges and Tunnels – Connecting Sustainably, Safely, Smartly”, the event will showcase how innovation, digitalisation, advanced construction equipment, sustainable materials and collaborative policy making are reshaping the country’s transport infrastructure.

At a time when India’s infrastructure ambitions under Vision 2047 are accelerating, the industry is also facing new realities. Contractors are becoming more selective, project financing models are evolving, technology adoption is accelerating, sustainability is becoming integral to infrastructure development, and lifecycle performance is increasingly taking priority over lowest-cost construction.

These issues formed the basis of two high-level industry roundtable discussions organized for RAHSTA 2026, which brought together major contractors, infrastructure developers, equipment manufacturers, consultants, technology providers and policy makers.

“What this has done is a 360-degree attack. Materials, equipment, labour, capital – everything is being affected simultaneously. Our industry already operates on very thin margins, and this has added another layer of pressure,” he said. Pratap Padode, Founder, First Construction CouncilDiscussing the impact of increasing global uncertainties on India’s road construction sector. “How sustainable is road construction when input costs are rising but bids are still falling? On the one hand, negative bids show appetite. On the other hand, they also indicate serious underlying risks in project execution, quality and completion,” he said.

Lieutenant General Rajeev Choudhary (Retd), former Director General, Border Roads Organization and Chairman, RAHSTA CommitteeCautioned that India’s infrastructure ambitions must be supported by better procurement practices and long-term thinking. “‘Easy’ highway projects are largely behind us. The future lies in technically demanding projects in difficult terrain. Success will depend on strong collaboration between policy makers, contractors, financiers and technology providers.”

Highlighting the growing importance of RAHSTA as a national infrastructure platform, Deepak Kumar, IAS, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh, commented in a video interview, “RAHSTA provides an excellent platform for states to showcase our infrastructure progress and investment ecosystem. Uttar Pradesh has changed significantly over the last decade, supported by over 34 investor-friendly industrial policies, and platforms like RAHSTA help communicate these developments to industry stakeholders across the country.”

Major performing companies include Caterpillar, Tata Hitachi, Volvo, LiuGong India, Electrotherm India, Kaushik Engineering Works, Sunteck Geotextile, Catline Infra Products, Lysaght Tapereline Poles, Alkolite India Road Safety, Shakambhari Groupamong many other national and international exhibitors.

Among the distinguished speakers are Sanjay SethiAdditional Chief Secretary (Transport), Government of Maharashtra; Deepak Kumar, IASAdditional Chief Secretary and Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh Bidur Kant JhaDirector – New Technology for Highway Development, MoRTH; Dr Sanjay MukherjeeMetropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA; Dr. Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation Anilkumar GaikwadVice Chairman and Managing Director, MSRDC; Dr. Brijesh DixitMD, MSIDC; Sandeep SinghMD, Tata Hitachi; Ajay Hans, Managing Director, GHV Infra ProjectsBowin KumarCEO, Cube Highways; TR RaoWhole Time Director, PNC Infratech; to name a few.

The awards aim to recognize organizations and professionals bringing innovation, quality, safety and sustainability to India’s fast-growing road infrastructure sector.

Major sponsors include BKT Tyres, Autodesk, Invest UP, Monte Carlo, Electrotherm India, Tata Hitachi, SRMB, Balaji Loha, Liugong India, Shakambhari Group, Amman, Maccaferri Infrastructure and Ultramax Steel.

The event is also supported by several industry bodies and associations, including Builders Association of India (BAI), Construction Equipment Rental Association (CERA), Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), International Road Federation (IRF), CSIR-CRRI, CILT India, All India Transporters Welfare Association, Hydraulic Trailer Owners Association (HTOA), Gujarat Contractors Association, Bitumen Forum, Fluid Power Society. of India, Indian Institute of Material Management, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Gati Shakti University, Mumbai First, and other leading organizations.

With expected participation from senior government officials, infrastructure developers, EPC contractors, consultants, investors, equipment manufacturers, technology providers and material suppliers, RAHSTA 2026 is expected to become one of the country’s most significant knowledge-sharing and business networking platforms for the road and highway sector.

events: RAHSTA EXPO 2026

date: July 8-9, 2026

venue: Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai

inquiry: Rohan 84240 82455

The 16th edition of this annual conference will deliberate on topics including next generation highways, digital manufacturing, road safety, sustainable materials, financing models, tunnel and bridge construction, intelligent asset management, policy reforms and emerging technologies.

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