MHADA Deputy CEO Anil Wankhade Highlights Cost Competitiveness as the Key to Stainless Steel Adoption in Infrastructure
As India accelerates investments in infrastructure, improving the cost competitiveness of stainless steel will be essential to unlocking its wider adoption across construction projects, believes Anil Wankhade. Speaking at the Virgo * ISSDA Strategic Partnership Announcement for Global Stainless Steel Expo he highlighted the exhibition’s role as a platform for bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, manufacturers, and end users to shape the future of the stainless steel sector.
According to Wankhade, the industry must work collectively to identify opportunities where stainless steel can replace conventional materials in infrastructure. He emphasised that forums such as GSSE create the right environment for dialogue, enabling stakeholders to exchange ideas, address industry challenges, and develop strategies that encourage wider utilisation of stainless steel across construction and public infrastructure projects.
“We must create the right ecosystem to increase the use of stainless steel in India’s infrastructure.”
— Anil Wankhade, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Maharashtra Housing And Area Development Authority (MHADA)
Wankhade also highlighted the challenges posed by global competition, noting that manufacturers in countries such as China benefit from lower production costs, making it difficult for Indian producers to compete on price. He pointed out that improving the competitiveness of Indian manufacturers will be crucial to increasing the use of indigenous stainless steel, adding that discussions at the government level are already focused on creating a more supportive ecosystem for the industry.
Expressing confidence in the industry’s future, Wankhade said initiatives such as GSSE 2027 can play an important role in fostering collaboration, encouraging policy dialogue, and accelerating the adoption of stainless steel across India’s infrastructure landscape. By bringing together the entire stainless steel value chain, the exhibition has the potential to drive innovation, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and support the country’s long-term infrastructure ambitions.
