AECOM of US sees opportunity in India’s infra push

Our Bureau Updated - November 12, 2019 at 03:39 PM.

Consulting firm to hire 1,500 more employees, says CEO Burke

Michael S Burke, CEO & Member, AECOM Board of Directors, with Avinash Misra, Country Director India, at a press conference in New Delhi. - KAMAL NARANG

AECOM, US-based infrastructure design and consultancy giant, plans to hire 1,500 more employees for its India operations, its global Chairman & CEO Michael S Burke has said.

“We will be hiring professional local talent in India. They are expected to be engineering professionals, architects and planners. This is very much part of Prime Minister Modi’s Make in India vision,” Burke told a press conference in the Capital.

Currently, AECOM, a US-based consulting firm that provides end-to-end solutions for all kinds of infrastructure development projects, has 2,500 employees located across eight regional offices and project offices in 26 States.

This

Fortune 500 company has 10,000 employees in Hong Kong and Mainland China put together.

In India, AECOM, which began its journey in 2009, is working on all of the 10 largest infrastructure projects being implemented in the country, said Burke, who is visiting India for the first time.

“AECOM is committed to India and is in a strong position to help Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government achieve the infrastructure vision for the country,” Burke told reporters here.

The major projects being executed relate to sectors such as urban development, transportation, environment, master planning and energy-efficient buildings.

AECOM is working on two of India’s most significant projects — Dholera New Township in Gujarat and development of naval base “Seabird” in Karwar. The projected construction cost for the two projects is $7.3 billion and $3 billion, respectively.

It also provides consultancy services for Metro rail projects in six cities. The total cost of construction works being undertaken by AECOM for the Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai Metros is $9.9 billion.

The consulting firm is currently engaged in providing design and project management services in the country.

There is no immediate plan to get into build, finance and operate activities in India, but the company may eventually do so, Burke said.

Burke met senior government officials from various transport and other infrastructure-related ministries on Thursday.

Srivats.kr@thehindu.co.in   

Published on March 12, 2015 12:31