India’s infrastructure sector is hiring in millions across the unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labour segments, amid expectations that the new government would maintain its focus on the industry and continue to pump investments into infrastructure development, including highways, roads, airports and other facilities.An estimated 9.8 million jobs (direct and indirect) are likely to be created in FY25 across the infrastructure sector, according to an estimate by staffing services firm TeamLease Services shared with ET.

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“We expect that the new government will continue to prioritise this sector, as it is essential for the country’s growth and development,” TeamLease chief strategy officer Subburathinam P said.

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“Strategic investments will generate employment opportunities and foster equitable regional development,” he said, citing, among other things, the government’s ambitious plans for the transportation sector, such as the expansion of airports to 220 and the development of a 200,000-km national highway network by 2025. There are also plans to operationalise 23 waterways by 2030 and construct 35 multi-modal logistics parks.

In June, ratings firm ICRA said the government will continue its thrust on the infrastructure sector, with increased allocations for railways, roads and water projects. While there could be some reprioritisation between various infra subsectors to accommodate stakeholders, the capital outlay towards infrastructure is expected to sustain its healthy growth momentum, given the overall GDP multiplier effect of infrastructure spending and consequent job creation, the statement said.

“Demand is being driven by multiple factors including the overall focus of the government on infrastructure and social development, increased urbanisation, improved connectivity and road network which is further leading to easier access to and development of tier-2 and tier-3 cities,” said Sonal Arora, country manager at GI Group Holding.

Companies on their part are ramping up their talent requirements across levels.

“Our hiring has increased owing to the multiple large and mega projects we have secured,” said L&T group chief HR officer C Jayakumar. “At L&T, we have a strong order book value and as we foray into new business areas and technology solutions, our hiring efforts will also be in tandem,” he said.

In the last FY, about 60% of the 10,400 lateral hires at the organisation were in construction/ infrastructure related domains.

At infrastructure and construction services company Patel Engineering, where the workforce trebled to 4,500 between FY22 and FY24, plans are on to add more.

“Anticipating a surge in infrastructure projects in FY25, we are set to undertake mass hiring across all levels, from project managers to the junior-most positions, including critical positions like planning, billing/QS, contracts, geologists, and surveyors,” chairman and managing director Rupen Patel said.

In addition to experienced professionals, the company is also looking at investing in fresh talent through campus hiring.

Integrated railway engineering company Jupiter Wagons said it has recruited heavily in FY23 as part of its long-term goals and to make them deployable effectively in FY24 through organised training. “There will be a steady increase of 13-15% in hiring. The portfolio of the incumbents is generally in the manufacturing, quality and technology development functions,” MD Vivek Lohia said.

Roles in demand in the sector include construction workers, heavy equipment operators, site supervisors, project directors, project managers, quality and safety experts, civil engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, architects, construction managers, environmental engineers, and urban planners among others, said recruiting firms and infrastructure companies.