“The Skyline of Tomorrow’s Bengal Must Be Built on Trust, Safety, Quality”: State Minister Agnimitra Paul Pitches Faster Approvals & Modern Infrastructure at CII Build Expo & Realty East

Own report: With over 50 exhibitors, nearly 1,000 visitors on its opening day, and a strong cross-section of industry and government leaders, CII Realty East 2026 & Build Expo 2026 opened in Kolkata today, setting the stage for three days of conversations, collaboration and innovation around the future of the built environment in Eastern India. Organised by CII Eastern Region at the Biswa Bangla Exhibition Centre, New Town, Kolkata, the event brings together the real estate, housing, construction and allied sectors under one roof. Addressing the inaugural gathering, Smt Agnimitra Paul, the honourable minister-in-charge of the Departments of Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal, said, “This is a defining moment in West Bengal’s growth trajectory. We are working towards a clear growth map for the state while addressing long-standing civic bottlenecks. Our focus is on uncompromising quality, rapid and seamless execution, and zero tolerance for unsafe construction. My vision is to transform our cities into dynamic economic engines that create opportunities and grow sustainably.”

Emphasising one state government’s intent, she highlighted, “We are investing in integrated civic systems and modern infrastructure. The future of real estate belongs to modern engineering, where technology will play a critical role in ensuring structural safety and creating energy-efficient cities. Our government is committed to eliminating bureaucratic delays, streamlining building plan approvals, and bringing greater transparency to the process. Sustainable development cannot exist without structural discipline, and there will be zero tolerance for violations of building rules.” “The skyline of tomorrow’s Bengal must be built on uncompromising trust, safety, and quality. We are also planning key infrastructure projects, including a ring road and an elevated corridor from Bypass Dhaba to Rajarhat, along with the development of four smart cities,” she further noted.

Mr Vibhu Goel, IAS, Managing Director, West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, said, “The government is committed to making Kolkata a hub for partnership and growth. One of the key challenges is the availability of land, and steps are being taken to address this. The government is also taking a more collaborative approach. The social environment and the business environment can and must grow together.” Taking the discussion further, Mr Harshavardhan Neotia, Past Chairman, CII Eastern Region & Chairman, CII SNCEL & Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group, said, “We have a few key asks from the government. Progressive policies are needed to enable faster implementation of projects. The speed of clearances is very important. Clearing the bottlenecks along the metro corridors will have a tremendous impact on the city. Our two key asks are regulatory support and infrastructure development. The rest can be driven by individual businesses. We also need to make Kolkata more pedestrian-friendly and ensure that the city is inclusive and sustainable.

He further added, “There needs to be much better coordination between the centre and the state. We will also need another airport before the existing airport reaches its capacity. A new land policy and industrial policy are expected to be announced soon.” Mr Mehul Mohanka, Chairman, CII Eastern Region & Managing Director & Group CEO, Tega Industries Ltd, said, “India’s real estate sector is at an important stage and plays a critical role in revenue generation. It is also the second-largest employment generator in the country. As the sector grows, we must remain mindful of the need for sustainable development.”

“Construction is a resource-consuming industry, and we need to remain mindful of its impact on the environment. Sustainable practices must therefore be an integral part of how we plan and develop our cities,” opined Mr Vivek Singh Rathore, Chairman, IGBC Kolkata & Founder & Principal, The Salient. Mr Hemant Lodha, Founding Partner, Windamere Projects, described Kolkata as the “jewel of the country”, while Mr Pradeep Sureka, Chairman, Sureka Group, said that the city has a strong desire to grow and that this momentum needs to be supported with better infrastructure.

The day also featured a series of focused sessions on the future of real estate and infrastructure in Eastern India, including discussions on integrated townships and the next chapter of real estate, the transition towards greener and net-zero buildings, emerging technologies and innovation in housing and construction, and the role of public infrastructure in driving investment and economic growth. The discussions brought together developers, architects, technology experts, infrastructure leaders and industry stakeholders to explore practical solutions for building more sustainable, smart and resilient cities. Build Expo 2026 will continue till 21 August 2026 at the Biswa Bangla Exhibition Centre, New Town, Kolkata, showcasing a wide range of products, technologies and solutions for the built environment.