Saifee Burhani Expo Focuses On Sustainable Urban Growth In India

The need for a paradigm shift from unchecked growth to planned, sustainable, and inclusive urban development was the central theme as leaders from the construction and real estate industry gathered at the fifth edition of the Saifee Burhani Expo (Construction 360) in Mumbai. The three-day event, inaugurated by Shri Rahul Narwekar, Speaker, Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha, focused on the Construction and Allied Industries, highlighting innovation, collaboration, and the road to a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. Key discussions, including the panel themes "Building India’s Sustainable Future: Infrastructure Roadmap to 2047" and "Form, Function & Finish: The Material Palette of Future-Ready Buildings," drove the focus on responsible growth and the materials necessary to achieve it.

The Imperative for Balanced Urban Planning

Speaking at event Mr. Keval Valambhia, COO, Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI), highlighted the critical gap in urban and regional planning, stressing the immense pressure on metro cities like Mumbai, where "nearly 800 people settle every day." “Sustainability is often discussed today but rarely addressed in its true context. While India has a strong recycling culture and a comparatively lower carbon footprint, the real gap lies in urban and regional planning. Infrastructure investment has remained heavily metro-centric. Cities such as Nashik, despite robust agro, wine and industrial ecosystems, have not received proportional infrastructure support. The way forward lies in decentralised and region-led development, including horizontal expansion initiatives like Mumbai 3. India does not just need green buildings, but green cities. Over the next two decades, the focus must shift from unchecked growth to planned development that balances economic progress with environmental responsibility.”

Shifting from Policy to Execution

Emphasising the need for concrete action and collaboration, Mr. Vishal Thakkar, Partner, Prem Group and Joint Secretary, NAREDCO Maharashtra, pointed out the low adoption rate of existing sustainability frameworks. “If India is to truly move towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047, sustainability must shift from policy intent to on-ground execution. While multiple frameworks exist today, adoption remains limited, with less than 10 percent of residential and commercial buildings leveraging solar energy despite abundant natural potential. Similarly, nearly 70 percent of treated wastewater in Mumbai continues to be discharged into the sea, even as successful models like Powai demonstrate how up to 90 percent reuse can support green urban ecosystems. The real gap lies in coordinated action, where government, developers and citizens work in partnership rather than isolation. Development cannot be driven by infrastructure alone, nor can sustainability succeed without community participation and safety as a core pillar. Environmental and social sustainability must progress together, with proactive, voluntary participation across industries, to ensure balanced and resilient urban growth.”

The Value of Architecture and Urban Design Mr. Jimmy Mistry, Chairman, Della Group, called for development control to evolve beyond mere compliance to enhance city identity and architectural excellence. “Cities are ultimately remembered by the architecture they leave behind, yet our current development frameworks focus largely on floor space metrics while overlooking façade design, urban character and heritage value. Unlike global cities where design quality shapes development approvals, Mumbai has seen limited master planning over the last century. The success of planned precincts like Dadar’s Hindu and Parsi colonies shows that thoughtful urban design delivers long-term liveability. As we build for the future, development control must evolve beyond compliance to actively enhance city identity, public spaces and architectural excellence.”

Innovation in Green Building Materials

Highlighting the role of technology in sustainability, Mr. Sachin Gupte, Head – Technical, Green Buildings, Pidilite, stressed the importance of passive building solutions.

“Today, sustainability is no longer optional; it is a necessity, as we collectively consume resources meant for future generations. This makes passive building solutions critical.

Building insulation remains an emerging category in India, but with rising awareness and energy costs, Pidilite is committed to leading this category through deep technical expertise, sustainable innovation and scalable solutions.”

Safety and Sanitation: Core Pillars of Sustainable Cities

Shri Shahzed Lehry, Civil Defence HQ Officer, Department of Home, Government of Maharashtra, and CEO, Ceasefire & Extinguishers & Systems, underlined safety as a non-negotiable component of a resilient urban future. “As India progresses towards becoming a global economic powerhouse and advances its vision of a Viksit Bharat, sustainability must extend beyond environment, water and infrastructure to include safety as a deeply embedded societal value. Regulations, codes, standards and enforcement mechanisms are essential, but true progress will come only when safety becomes part of our collective culture rather than a compliance requirement. For India’s urban future to be truly resilient and inclusive, safety must evolve as a parallel pillar of sustainable development, shaping how our cities grow, function and protect their citizens.”

Dr. Ajit Salvi, Director, Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES), AIILSG, Mumbai, focused on sanitation infrastructure, citing Mumbai’s massive ₹27,000 crore investment in wastewater treatment. “The construction and infrastructure sector forms the foundation of urban development, whether in metros or emerging cities. However, infrastructure cannot be limited to buildings and transport alone. Sustainable urban growth depends equally on sanitation systems covering water supply, wastewater treatment and solid waste management... The next challenge lies in creating viable markets for treated wastewater and managing sludge effectively. Without integrated planning for water, wastewater and solid waste, cities will not remain liveable or competitive. As India moves towards 2030 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and further towards the 2047 development vision and 2070 net-zero commitments, sanitation-led infrastructure planning must be placed at the core of sustainable urban transformation.”

Deep Decarbonisation and Climate Resilience

Dr. Mala Singh, Chairperson IGBC (CII) Mumbai Chapter, Chairperson & MD, PEC Greening India, stressed the urgency of climate-responsive design, noting that "over 75 percent of global biodiversity already lost" and Mumbai's vulnerability to extreme rainfall.  “As India enters a decisive phase of economic expansion, sustainability must be embedded at the core of development strategy. The building and real estate sector sits at the centre of this transition, with emissions driven as much by operational performance as by material choices. The next decade must prioritise deep decarbonisation through green materials, energy-positive design, lifecycle accountability and climate-resilient planning. Every building, new or redeveloped, must now be designed as climate-responsive infrastructure, supporting urban liveability and advancing India’s net-zero pathway towards 2070.”

Industry Expansion and Project Benchmarks

The event also showcased industry growth and landmark projects. Mr. Debashish Vanikar, CEO, Adhesives & Construction Chemicals, Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited, detailed the company's expansion into the high-growth construction chemicals sector. “Nerolac is seeing strong momentum as it expands beyond paints into adjacent building material segments such as construction chemicals and adhesives... Sustainability is central to our strategy, with a clear shift towards low-VOC, water-based products and net zero water usage across all manufacturing plants. With the construction chemicals industry having grown 15–20 percent over the past five years and projected to reach USD 6–7 billion, Nerolac is investing in R&D, talent and service capabilities to build scale and long-term leadership in this high-growth segment.”

Mr. Abizar Patanwala, Group CFO, Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT), highlighted the organisation’s large-scale redevelopment project as a benchmark for sustainability. “The Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project was envisioned by our 52nd Dai al Mutlaq, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, and is being executed under the leadership of the 53rd Dai al Mutlaq, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. The project sets benchmarks in sustainable redevelopment, with rehabilitation buildings featuring solar panels, sewage treatment plants, organic waste management and designs that maximise natural light, earning recognition from the authorities. Equally important, the Expo enables exposure to advanced technologies such as AI-based site monitoring tools, which enhance project transparency and execution, and will help strengthen SBUT’s projects in Mumbai and across the country.”

Mr. Murtaza Jasdanwala, Business Development, Economic Development Division of The Dawoodi Bohra Community, spoke about the community’s evolving role in the sector.

“The Dawoodi Bohra community has always been deeply rooted in trade, enterprise and ethical business practices. The community today has strong representation across the value chain, from developers and designers to material suppliers and technology adopters, with landmark projects delivered across Maharashtra and other parts of India using modern techniques, high-quality materials and sustainability-led practices. The next phase of growth is about collaboration over competition, relationship-led business and global thinking.”

Government Commitment

Inaugurating the expo, Shri Rahul Narwekar affirmed the government’s support for the sector. “Saifee Burhani Expo (Construction 360) plays a critical role in strengthening the construction and real estate ecosystem by bringing together developers, manufacturers, suppliers and innovators under one roof. As Mumbai and Maharashtra continue to evolve as global hubs for infrastructure and urban development, such forums enable collaboration, knowledge exchange and sustainable business growth across the value chain. The Government of Maharashtra remains committed to supporting the trading and construction community, ensuring an environment that encourages investment, innovation and long-term progress for the sector and the economy at large.”

The expo, featuring over 120 exhibitors from India and abroad, reaffirmed the Dawoodi Bohra community’s long-standing role in the city’s growth and served as a crucial platform for discussing the future trajectory of India's construction and urban development industry.