India's infra sector needs 'able leaders' to lead drive: Punj

With India looking for a "big leap" in infrastructure space, the demand for able professionals to execute challenges has increased, Punj Lloyd Chairman Atul Punj said here.
"A major indicator of a country's development is the quality of its infrastructure. With India primed for a big leap, there is huge demand for able professionals to lead the drive towards world-class infrastructure in India," Punj said at the launch of the 'Leadership Programme in Infrastructure Management' for mid-level executives by the Indian School of Business (ISB).
The programme will address critical areas of the changing economic conditions and prepare skilled leaders for the future of the sector, he said.

The 42-week programme is said to be one-of-its-kind in the country comprising a 52-week course with an annual fee structure of Rs 9 lakh. The programme is scheduled to start from January 29 next year at ISB with campuses at Mohali and Hyderabad.
The programme has been jointly designed by the School's Punj Lloyd Institute of Infrastructure Management and its Centre for Executive Education in the wake of thrust on infrastructure creating a huge demand for leaders to be an integral part in the building of a more efficient nation.
Ajit Rangnekar, Dean, ISB, echoed that the programme is apt for aspiring leaders in the industry and said, "The infrastructure sector faces huge challenges ... To address these challenges, we need strong leaders who can take the sector, and the country, to new heights. The leadership programme will create future leaders."

Pradeep Singh, CEO, Mohali Campus and Deputy Dean, ISB, said, "This will be a hybrid programme based on in-class as well as technology-assisted learning ... Programme will teach management principles in the context of the infrastructure sector - enabling managers in the sector to run their operations more professionally and efficiently."

O P Agarwal, Executive Director, Punj Lloyd Institute of Infrastructure Management, ISB, said, "The Leadership Programme in Infrastructure Management has been designed to create infrastructure leaders who meet the future needs of the nation."
Industry leaders from Punj Lloyd, L&T and IL&FS are part of the programme's advisory committee.

Sponsors for the programme include four industrial houses including Punj Lloyd who have contributed Rs 50 crore each.