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Construction activity in India is taking new dimensions with some unique projects raring to take off. While the bullet train project has seen some progress with the National High Speed Rail Corporation floating tenders, another unique project shaping up is the Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop, which will drastically reduce the travelling time between the two cities to about 35 minutes from what it takes today, according to reports. These projects will be challenging for the contractors on various fronts. At the same time, they will create new opportunities for construction equipment players to contribute to the industry and the nation with innovative products and solutions. Though market research agencies have predicted a slower growth this fiscal, the long-term growth prospects are keeping the industry optimistic. <p></p><p>The opportunities and challenges go hand in hand. This is evident in the crushing and screening equipment segment. The segment is flourishing, with an expected demand push in the coming years owing to the spurt in the number and scale of infrastructure projects that are going to take off in the near future. The aggregate requirement is enormous for the execution of these projects. Ready availability of aggregates such as sand and blue metal is imperative for these projects get going without hiccups. </p><p>The mining segment is slowly recovering from a slowdown, with some mines having opened up for coal and iron ore mining. All these are creating opportunities for advanced bigger capacity crushers and screens in large numbers. On the flipside, challenges are no less, which include those from emission and environment-related regulations, infrastructure bottlenecks, liquidity issues, frequent policy changes, operating margins, etc. This is making the segment struggle to make any significant advances in the market to meet the large demand. However, the equipment players are optimistic on the long-term prospects. The Cover Story elaborates on the scenario. </p><p>The Feature on wheel loaders explores the new developments and market opportunities for this equipment segment. Being a widely used machine in construction, mining, ports, warehousing and various industrial segments, wheel loaders see a steady growth in the future. Read on to understand the emerging sales and technology trends in this segment. While the Focus on mobile compressors depicts the products, technologies and demand drivers, the Special Focus on hydraulic hose and fittings brings out the importance of these components in hydraulic equipment, the selection process and maintenance practices for the maximum utilisation of hose systems. A host of other columns and interviews add to the wealth of information on the industry. </p>