Shaping the Smart Highways of Tomorrow
June 26, 2025 – Mumbai: The RAHSTA Forum 2025, held on June 25 at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, delivered powerful insights and dialogue on the future of India’s roads and highways sector. Organised by the FIRST Construction Council, the Forum served as the curtain-raiser to the much-anticipated RAHSTA Expo 2025, set to take place on September 3-4 at the Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai.
The RAHSTA Forum took place in conjunction with the Construction Technology Summit, bringing together policymakers, contractors, technologists, and investors to deliberate on sustainable construction practices, technology integration, and transformative trends shaping India’s infrastructure journey.
Inaugurating the Forum, Pratap Padode, Founder, FIRST Construction Council, delivered a keynote linking national defence, construction mechanisation, and the imperative of technological adoption.
Padode underlined India’s shift from labour-intensive construction to mechanised and digitally-driven processes, citing dramatic growth in the construction equipment industry—from under 5,000 units in 2003 to over 1,40,000 units in FY2025.
Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhary (Retd), Former Director General, Border Roads Organisation and Chairman of the RAHSTA Committee, called the RAHSTA Expo “India’s Maha Kumbh of construction.”
He added, “Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged Mr Padode’s initiative. This Expo brings everything together—products, equipment, innovations, and recognition. he remarked. I urge all of you to attend the RAHSTA Expo. Already 10,000+ have registered. Come, share ideas, and grow. That’s how progress happens—through collaboration, through collective energy.”
Sudhir Hoshing, Chief Mentor, IRB Infrastructure and RAHSTA Committee Member, reflected on the evolution of construction tech over his four-decade-long career. “From manual bitumen mixing to AI-powered drones and digital twins, I’ve seen it all. And I can confidently say—the future is already here,” he said.
Hoshing highlighted the challenges still faced on ground—from utility relocations to unsustainable project bids—and urged startups to collaborate with on-ground contractors to understand real-world bottlenecks.
Dr Zafar Khan, Executive Director and Joint CEO, Highways Infrastructure Trust, said, “Over the past five to six years, road developers have begun monetising assets. Investors like us are now managing these roads for decades.” He lauded government initiatives like Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) and drone-based monitoring, but noted that greater transparency often meets resistance in the sector.
“We evaluated 120 HAM projects last year—and only acquired 10. About 40 per cent of the others failed FWD tests just after completion. Everyone’s rushing to claim annuities, but we’re compromising quality,” he warned.
About RAHSTA Expo 2025
RAHSTA (Roads and Highways Sustainable Technologies & Advancement) returns with renewed focus, scale, and ambition. Building on the momentum of RAHSTA Forum, the main Expo will be held on September 3-4, 2025 at Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai.
With 100+ exhibitors, 10,000+ attendees, and cutting-edge showcases of machinery, AI, safety, materials, and digital design, RAHSTA Expo is India’s definitive platform for road and highway innovation. Organised by the FIRST Construction Council, the event aims to empower decision-makers to build safer, smarter, and more sustainable infrastructure.
About RAHSTA Expo 2025
Besides RAHSTA Expo 2025, the India Construction Festival 2025 will include the following:
Exhibitors can use RAHSTA Expo 2025 to showcase their construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, and construction vehicles to a targeted audience of industry professionals. RAHSTA Expo will be an ideal platform to connect with key decision-makers, generate leads, and grow business in this rapidly expanding market.
Contact:
For exhibitor enquiries (for RAHSTA Expo), contact XXXXXXXX
For delegate enquiries (for conferences), contact Siraj Khan on Mob: +9769 577 206, or Email: siraj.khan@asappinfoglobal.com
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