Kasturi Upadhye Gandhi: Breaking Barriers & Redefining Women’s Role in Construction

Kasturi Upadhye Gandhi journey is a powerful example of how an ordinary middle-class girl with no prior connection to the construction industry can rise to success. Coming from a typical middle class Indian family, Kasturi wasn’t particularly focused on academics but had a strong passion for sports.

Despite her humble beginnings, her life took an unexpected turn that ultimately led her to the world of civil engineering. Facing significant financial challenges, she persevered to complete her engineering degree, critical situations prepare herself for any situation that life throw in a way. She didn’t have any option other than to survive in this sector. she was determined to carve out her place.

She entered the construction industry as a trainee Civil Engineer. She noticed that female employees were largely opted to official roles, with little exposure to on-site execution, which she found limiting for effectiveness. Kasturi initially considered following the path of a traditional office role to balance work and home responsibilities. However, her heart was set on excelling in the construction industry. She realized that to truly perform in this field, one must have hands-on knowledge of site activities, human behaviour, and site conditions.

Her career path took a turning point when she met Late Shri Cyrus P. Mistry, a visionary leader who aspired to have the first female project manager in his company. His belief in the role of women in the future of construction, and his desire to contribute to society through meaningful change, inspired her to pursue her dreams more fiercely. Kasturi made the bold decision to follow her dreams and began working on-site. This experience revealed that she was not made for an official desk job.

She took on diverse roles in site execution, managing workers, supervisors, vendors, and clients in sectors like commercial, industrial, residential, and infrastructure. Kasturi Upadhye Gandhi has developed a reputation as a reinforcement expert, handling critical aspects of construction. She loves to adopt new systems and technology for betterment.

In addition to site management, she’s committed to labour welfare and has trained numerous engineers and supervisors, changing their lives for the better. She’s also known for her emphasis on team building, guiding her subordinates on ethics and business values, which she considers essential throughout their careers.

Her journey was filled with challenges on professional and personal fronts, including societal resistance to her role as a woman in a male-dominated industry. However, her family & her professional mentors stood by her side, and her perseverance helped her fight not just workplace challenges, but also the mindset of society about women’s roles in construction.

Today, Kasturi Upadhye Gandhi is a Project Manager at one of the leading real estate company, where she leads an operation on site. She is also dedicated to training other women, aiming to create a more inclusive environment in the construction industry.

Kasturi’s mission is to pave the way for more women to thrive in the construction industry, passing on her passion and experience to the next generation. She envisions a future where more women are empowered to take on-site roles, breaking the norms and reshaping the industry.

Kasturi Gandhi’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and the pursuit of passion. Her story is a call to action, encouraging support for women in construction and recognizing the importance of diversity in all industries.