RIDING THE INFRA EUPHORIA

A hefty order book and rising profitability have catapulted Ahluwalia Contracts among the top construction companies in the country.

- ASHUTOSH KUMAR

THE LEELA PALACE in Delhi, All India Institute of Medical Sciences' campuses in West Bengal and Maharashtra, and the airport passenger terminal of Birsa Munda airport in Ranchi—construction company Ahluwalia Contracts India Ltd has built an enviable portfolio of projects over nearly five decades.

Headquartered in New Delhi, Ahluwalia Contracts is among the companies riding India's public capital expenditure wave of the past four years. The civil contractor has a broadbased portfolio of residential housing projects, commercial projects, hotel projects, and educational institutions in its kitty.

The ₹2,450-crore redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai is among the big-ticket projects the company is undertaking. Its executed projects in the Maximum City also include Mumbai Metro Depot for Mumbai Metro One Pvt. Ltd.

Consistent growth

With a nearly 50:50 public-to-private contract ratio, Ahluwalia Contracts' order books have been swelling owing to the government thrust on capital expenditure and subsequent crowding of private investments. The company, which has been clocking in high growth in profitability, looks poised for the long runway of orders worth ₹16,258 crore it has signed, as of December 2024.

Between FY21 and FY24, its sales and net profit registered a CAGR of 24.83% and 69.33%, respectively. The earnings per share also rose in tandem.

The hefty order book The hefty order book and rising profitability catapulted Ahluwalia Contracts to the top of Fortune India's maiden 100 Emerging Stars list.