Guwahati, Assam, June 15: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) today organized a significant Round Table Session in Guwahati, featuring Dr. Shailesh Kumar Agrawal, Executive Director of the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India.
The event drew over 50 key stakeholders from the construction and housing sectors, including architects, builders, and industry experts. In his welcome address, Mr. S.K. Jain, Chairman of the Assam & Meghalaya State Committee of the ICC, underscored its crucial role in fostering connections between stakeholders and policymakers and emphasized its efforts towards resilient construction practices. Mr. Jain warmly welcomed all dignitaries and participants, setting a constructive tone for the session.
Dr. Jayanta Pathak, Chairman of the Resilient Construction Committee of the ICC, delivered a detailed presentation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new Union Cabinet policy. This policy aims to assist in constructing an additional three crore rural and urban houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Dr. Pathak also highlighted the importance of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in urban affordable housing and shared insights on the ICC’s advocacy for knowledge-sharing within the industry.
The chief guest, Dr. Shailesh Kumar Agrawal, delivered an insightful address covering several pivotal topics. He explained that the BMTPC was established in July 1990 by the Ministry of Urban Development to bridge the gap between research and the large-scale application of new building material technologies. Dr. Agrawal highlighted BMTPC’s role as a collaborative platform for agencies under Central and State Governments and the private sector, facilitating the scaling of proven technologies and supporting commercial production.
He emphasized the council’s mandate to promote resource-efficient, climate-resilient, and disaster-resistant construction practices, including emerging building materials and technologies for field-level applications. Additionally, BMTPC serves as the appraisal and monitoring agency for PMAY(U) projects in states and union territories falling in Earthquake Zones IV and V. Dr. Agrawal also highlighted the creation of the National Urban Housing Fund (NUHF), which aggregates loans from lending agencies and financial institutions to support housing projects.
The session also included presentations from industry leaders such as Start Cement and Tata Steel, who showcased advanced building materials and construction
technologies, enhancing the knowledge base of the attendees.
Concluding with an interactive session, the event provided a platform for detailed discussions, insights sharing, and collaborative opportunities. The segment was well-received, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas among the diverse groups of participants. The Indian Chamber of Commerce remains committed to facilitating such crucial dialogues and initiatives, advancing the agenda of resilient construction and sustainable development.
