Lucknow: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with the Lucknow Development Authority and the Indian Green Building Council, hosted the inaugural edition of the CII Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure Conclave 2026 in Lucknow. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and subject experts to deliberate on strategies for holistic development in the state.
Addressing the session, Balkar Singh, IAS, Secretary, Housing and Urban Planning Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, emphasized that the development of the capital region is central to the state’s future growth. He outlined a vision of transforming Lucknow into an integrated regional ecosystem alongside neighboring districts, functioning as interconnected growth hubs. He stressed that infrastructure development must go beyond expansion to focus on quality and sustainability—through world-class roads, robust urban systems, and well-planned public spaces that enhance quality of life. He also highlighted that Uttar Pradesh’s liberal building bylaws and urban regulations are facilitating faster approvals and improving ease of doing business.
Christoph Schnellmann, CEO of Noida International Airport, underlined the transformative potential of the upcoming airport as a catalyst for regional development and global connectivity. He noted that the airport is being developed as a next-generation, sustainable aviation hub, integrating global best practices in green infrastructure, energy efficiency, and long-term resilience.
Shashank Chaudhary, IAS, CEO of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), highlighted the critical role of expressway-led development in driving the state’s economic transformation. He said the rapidly expanding expressway network is not only enhancing connectivity but also unlocking new investment corridors, boosting industrial growth, and improving logistics efficiency. UPEIDA is focusing on developing integrated industrial and logistics hubs along expressways to create a conducive environment for manufacturing, warehousing, and allied sectors, thereby expanding the state’s economic geography.
Speaking on affordable housing, Vandana Sehgal, Dean and Principal at AKTU FOAP, pointed to the evolving ecosystem driven by collaboration between academia, policy, and grassroots innovation. She cited initiatives such as the Lighthouse Project in Lucknow and national platforms like Habitat Forum, which are showcasing scalable, prefabricated, and climate-resilient housing solutions. She noted a shift from mass housing delivery to integrated, sustainable, and community-centric developments, where affordability is defined not just by cost but also by efficiency, resilience, and quality of life.
Anjani Kumar Pandey, Business Head at Omaxe Limited, highlighted the growing importance of integrated urban development in accelerating real estate growth across the state. He identified Ayodhya as one of the most significant emerging real estate destinations, driven by rising religious tourism and large-scale infrastructure projects. Improved connectivity and government-led initiatives are fueling unprecedented demand in hospitality, retail, and residential segments.
Gaurav Gupta, Director at SG Estates and Secretary of CREDAI National, described real estate as a key engine of economic growth, closely linked with infrastructure expansion, employment generation, and urban transformation. He also praised progressive reforms such as new building bylaws and called for stronger collaboration between government and industry to ensure inclusive, efficient, and future-ready urban development.
The conclave witnessed participation from over 150 industry representatives, including members of the construction community, reinforcing the shared commitment toward building a resilient and growth-oriented infrastructure ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh.
