Arvind K Garg, Advisor to Chairman and Managing Director, Larsen & Toubro

What key products, technologies, or launches will you be showcasing at Excon 2025, and how do these offerings address the evolving needs of construction, mining, and infrastructure segments such as bridges, flyovers, rural projects and smart cities?

Excon 2025 is South Asia’s largest construction equipment exhibition and an important meeting point for customers, OEMs, financiers, policymakers and technology partners. It comes at a time when the Government is driving large investments in highways, expressways, rail, metros, mining, rural connectivity and urban infrastructure. As the country progresses towards the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, infrastructure development is expected to accelerate rapidly, and this will increase demand not only for more machines but also for new technologies, including alternate fuels such as hydrogen, biodiesel and electric, hybrid solutions and advanced remote-control and digital systems.

A major highlight of our participation this time is EarthBrain, Komatsu’s Smart Construction ecosystem that connects machines, people and jobsites in a single digital environment. By using drone surveys, IoT sensors, 3D terrain models, machine data and AI-based analytics, EarthBrain creates a digital twin of the jobsite and helps infrastructure development companies plan more accurately, monitor work in real time, optimise material movement and improve safety. One of its most impactful capabilities is secure remote operation. At Excon 2025, visitors can experience this by operating a Komatsu hydraulic excavator located in Japan or another remote jobsite thousands of kilometres away, directly from our stall, which clearly demonstrates how future worksites can be managed more safely and efficiently.

Alongside EarthBrain, we are displaying a comprehensive range of Komatsu machines tailored for India’s construction and mining needs. New launches include the Komatsu PC225, designed for high stability and precise operation in bridges, flyovers and elevated corridors, along with a new 40-tonne hydraulic excavator built for heavy-duty earthwork and high-volume excavation. The Komatsu PC35, our compact champion, serves tight urban and utility applications, while models such as the Komatsu PC81, Komatsu PC136, Komatsu PC205, Komatsu PC210 and Komatsu PC500 address mainstream construction and mining segments. The Komatsu GD535 Motor Grader, the Komatsu D85 dozer and the Komatsu HB365 Hybrid Excavator complete the line-up, with the hybrid model supporting lower emissions and improved energy use.

From L&T’s indigenous portfolio, we will showcase the L&T Crusher for quarrying and aggregates, L&T CEV-V compliant vibratory compactors for roads and urban infrastructure, and L&T Wheel Loaders and L&T Skid Steer Loaders for material handling, road support, municipal operations and solid-waste applications. 

The innovative L&T trencher will feature as a special highlight. It is significantly more advanced, productive and cost-effective than comparable trenching solutions available today, making it ideal for fibre networks, water pipelines, power and utility corridors, especially in smart-city and urban projects. It’s also a multi-function solution, built to handle a variety of demanding trenching tasks with ease.

In addition, MOVAX piling and breaker attachments will be displayed separately to demonstrate specialised solutions for foundations, metro projects, bridge approaches and other complex civil engineering works.

Taken together, the machines and technologies we are presenting at EXCON 2025 show a clear direction. As India’s infrastructure expands, demand will rise for equipment that is not only powerful and reliable but also compatible with alternate fuels, digitally connected and capable of remote and intelligent operation. Our line-up is geared to meet these evolving expectations across construction, mining, bridges and flyovers, rural development and smart-city applications.

How is your organisation integrating advancements in digitalisation, automation, AI, telematics and predictive technologies to enhance productivity, safety, lifecycle value and overall machine performance for customers?

Digitalisation continues to transform how construction and mining projects are planned and executed. Building on the EarthBrain Smart Construction ecosystem introduced earlier, which brings data-led planning, jobsite visualisation and remote operation into mainstream workflows, our focus now is on strengthening connectivity, predictive insights and operator support across the fleet.

KOMTRAX provides real-time information on utilisation, load behaviour, fuel efficiency and operating trends, while KOMTRAX Plus supports mining-class machines with deeper diagnostics. Predictive maintenance is reinforced through Komatsu Oil Wear Analysis, and Swift Service 360 improves service responsiveness and documentation accuracy.

Indigenous digital solutions complement global platforms. DigiEye, fitted on L&T’s CEV-V compliant vibratory compactors, provides supervisors and fleet managers with real-time visibility of compaction quality, machine parameters and operating behaviour, helping improve utilisation and productivity across diverse jobsite conditions.

Automation and hydraulic intelligence add another layer of efficiency. HydrauMind balances engine power and hydraulic demand for smoother cycles and reduced fuel usage, and the Komatsu HB365 Hybrid Excavator supports energy recovery and lower emissions.

To help customers gain full value from these technologies, we continue to strengthen operator and technician capabilities through simulators, IESC-certified training and on-site mentoring. The commissioning of a 100-tonne Komatsu HD785-7 dump truck by an all-women L&T team at Tata Steel’s Noamundi mine showcases the capability-building efforts underway.

As infrastructure development accelerates, connected, intelligent and automation-ready equipment will become central to project performance, and our digital platforms are designed to support this shift.

Which customer segments and application areas are you targeting through your product and technology offerings, especially in the context of India’s expanding infrastructure needs?

India’s infrastructure growth spans sectors like expressways, bridges, metros, mining, smart cities, irrigation, rural roads and utilities. The list is a long one. Our portfolio is curated to meet the needs of each of these segments.

In highways and expressways, machines such as the Komatsu PC205, Komatsu PC210, Komatsu GD535 and L&T compactors support high productivity and tight project timelines. Bridges, flyovers and elevated corridors require stability and precise control, where models like the Komatsu PC225, Komatsu PC136 and Komatsu D85 perform strongly.

Urban development and smart cities demand compact, agile machines. The Komatsu PC35, Komatsu PC81, L&T Skid Steer Loaders and the L&T Trencher are particularly suited for telecom ducts, fibre networks, drainage works and underground utilities. The trencher is especially relevant for rapid installation of pipelines and cables.

Rural development programmes such as PMGSY and irrigation works require mid-range excavators and compact models that offer the right balance of productivity, fuel economy and ease of maintenance.

In mining and quarrying, machines such as the Komatsu PC390, Komatsu PC500 and the Komatsu HB365 Hybrid Excavator support heavy-duty excavation, overburden removal and loading applications.

Specialised applications like metro foundations, retaining structures and bridge approaches are supported by the MOVAX range of piling and breaker attachments.

Overall, the portfolio serves EPC contractors, mining firms, SMEs, rental companies, municipal bodies and emerging construction enterprises, ensuring strong options across scale, budget and application needs.

How does your organisation ensure strong aftermarket support, customer service and high uptime for its equipment across diverse and demanding operating conditions?

Our motto, “In Service, Lies Success”, drives everything we do — because our customers’ success is the real win. Uptime is absolutely critical for those working in remote mines, major highways, metro corridors and municipal job sites. To keep their machines running, we operate six L&T Service Centres across Bahadurgarh, Singrauli, Durgapur, Nagpur, Pune and Kanchipuram.

Each centre is built to international standards and ISO certified, equipped for major component repairs, machine overhauls, hydraulic and powertrain refurbishment, structural repairs and full lifecycle-management programmes. And because the standard of repairs is consistently high across all centres, customers not only get stronger performance but also enjoy lower lifecycle costs over the machine’s working life.

Nagpur also anchors our central warehousing operations, enabling rapid movement of parts across the country — because living our motto means keeping customers powered up, always.

A strong dealer network of 30 dealers, each with multiple locations, provides extensive national coverage. Dealers maintain workshops, mobile service vans, stocked parts counters and skilled service staff capable of addressing customer requirements quickly, including in remote locations.

Proactive maintenance is supported through KOMTRAX and KOMTRAX Plus, while Komatsu Oil Wear Analysis identifies component wear early. Swift Service 360 improves the speed, quality and transparency of service delivery. The Machine Care Programme provides scheduled inspections and preventive maintenance for long machine life, and refurbishment services enhance the value of older machines.

Training forms an essential pillar of uptime. Operators and technicians receive simulator-based sessions, IESC-certified training and on-site guidance. The commissioning of a Komatsu HD785-7 dump truck by an all-women L&T team at Noamundi highlights our continued investment in capability-building and inclusion.

With a 24x7 customer support centre, emergency response teams and machine clinics, we provide dependable support to ensure customers achieve maximum productivity and availability.

What is your assessment of the market potential for your key product categories in India, and how do you foresee demand trends evolving in 2026 and beyond?

India is entering a sustained phase of infrastructure expansion with strong activity in highways, rail corridors, mining, airports, smart cities and water management. As the country advances towards the goals of Viksit Bharat, demand for construction and mining equipment is expected to remain strong.

Highway development will continue to drive requirements for machines like the Komatsu PC205, Komatsu PC210, compactors and graders. Elevated roads, bridges and flyovers will support demand for models such as the Komatsu PC225 and Komatsu PC390. Urban infrastructure and utility works will benefit from compact machines such as the Komatsu PC35 and Komatsu PC81, and the L&T Trencher for underground utilities and fibre-rollout projects.

Mining growth will support heavy excavators like the Komatsu PC390 and Komatsu PC500, along with hybrid models such as the Komatsu HB365. Rental demand is also set to rise as SMEs and contractors adopt asset-light models.

Looking towards 2026 and beyond, demand will shift further towards technologically advanced equipment like hybrid and alternate-fuel machines, intelligent and connected equipment and solutions that reduce fuel wastage, emissions and jobsite variability. Our product range positions us well to support these evolving needs.

How is your organisation embedding sustainability, cleaner technologies and environmentally responsible practices into its products, operations and long-term strategy?

Sustainability is increasingly becoming central to how equipment is designed, used and supported. L&T has historically introduced advanced technologies to India, including early electric excavators, and played a pioneering role in bringing hydraulic excavators and vibratory compactors to the country.

Today, the emphasis is on fuel efficiency, lower emissions and improved lifecycle performance. The Komatsu HB365 Hybrid Excavator demonstrates this with its energy regeneration system. Engines across the fleet are being developed for cleaner combustion, optimised hydraulics and compatibility with future alternate fuels such as biodiesel, hydrogen and electric variants.

L&T’s CEV-V compliant vibratory compactors supported by DigiEye reduce rework, improve fuel efficiency and deliver consistent compaction. Refurbishment programmes, component overhauls and lifecycle services extend machine life and minimise waste.

Our ISO-certified service centres and comprehensive diagnostics, such as KOMTRAX and Komatsu Oil Wear Analysis, support customers in reducing idle hours, fuel wastage and unplanned downtime. Skill development, inclusion and safety remain important areas of focus. The commissioning of a Komatsu HD785-7 dump truck by an all-women team at Noamundi is an example of capability-building in action.

As India progresses towards Viksit Bharat 2047, sustainability will increasingly shape procurement and execution, and our objective is to support customers with products and services that help them operate cleaner, safer and more efficiently.