New Delhi – The Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA) has officially reshuffled its leadership deck for the 2025–27 term, ensuring that the nation’s construction equipment industry has both the horsepower and the boardroom savvy to build the future — preferably without leaving any potholes behind.
Stepping into the President’s seat is Deepak Shetty, CEO & Managing Director of JCB India Ltd., whose three-decade career spans manufacturing excellence, sustainability drives, and a knack for future-ready technologies. Already known for steering dialogues on clean energy transition and skilling, Mr. Shetty now takes the wheel from outgoing President V. Vivekanand of Caterpillar India. His blueprint? Drive ICEMA towards bigger strategic partnerships, stronger global collaborations, and policies that make “Make in India” less of a slogan and more of a global power tool.
Joining him in the driver’s cabin is Ramesh Palagiri, Managing Director & CEO of Wirtgen India Pvt. Ltd., as President-Designate. A man who treats infrastructure the way master chefs treat signature dishes — with precision, passion, and the latest equipment — Mr. Palagiri is expected to accelerate tech adoption, boost CE exports, and keep the industry’s gears well-oiled with EPCs, ministries, and multilateral allies.
Shalabh Chaturvedi, Managing Director – India & SAARC at CASE Construction Equipment India Pvt. Ltd., takes on the role of Vice President. Known for his human capital leadership, Mr. Chaturvedi was the brains behind the CE industry’s first Human Capital Summit and DEI-focused workforce strategies. His mission? Build a talent pipeline so ready for Industry 4.0 that even AI will feel a little intimidated.
Keeping an eye on the numbers — and the hydraulics — is Sitaram Ganeshan, President of Wipro Hydraulics, Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, now ICEMA’s Treasurer. With a deep understanding of component innovation and supply chain dynamics, Mr. Ganeshan is expected to make sure the finances flow as smoothly as the hydraulic systems he champions.
Together, this quartet aims to power ICEMA’s vision of making India the world’s second-largest construction equipment market by 2030, aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047. With their combined expertise, they’re ready to lift, load, pave, and plan their way into the industry’s next big chapter — all while ensuring the only “dirt” in the business stays firmly on the construction site.
