suparjya swain 
Feature: In the rapidly evolving city of Rourkela, where demand for quality housing is steadily on the rise, Mr. Rajeev Kumar Agrawal has emerged as one of the most trusted names in real estate development. A Chartered Accountant by profession and an alumnus of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, Mr. Agrawal brings financial acumen, strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to quality into every project he undertakes.
Before venturing into real estate, Mr. Agrawal had already built a successful track record in multiple businesses, including garment retail and distribution. But five years ago, he recognized that the real estate sector held tremendous potential to shape not only a business but also the very skyline of his city. His first residential project was an unqualified success, executed with an emphasis on innovation and quality. To raise the bar for Rourkela, he engaged Mumbai-based architects, ensuring that the project offered design excellence and thoughtful functionality. The positive response from homebuyers became a powerful validation — and a catalyst for further expansion.
Co-founder, Mr. Vikas Garg
Today, along with his co-founder Mr. Vikas Garg, Mr. Agrawal leads Shyam Builders, a company that has quickly become synonymous with trust, timely execution, and customer-centric development. Under their leadership, the company has delivered several well-received residential projects, including Shyam Samriddhi at Dandiyapali and Shyam Sarovar at Koel Nagar — each designed to provide modern amenities at an accessible price point.
Despite the company’s success, Mr. Agrawal is candid about the challenges faced by developers. “Documentation and compliance remain among the biggest hurdles in real estate,” he notes. “Land titles are often unclear, and legal processes can take anywhere from six months to a year to resolve. The government’s move to digitize land records is a welcome step, but we must further streamline the system so that clear-title land can be transferred quickly and disputes are resolved efficiently.”
He also highlights a critical bottleneck in Rourkela’s development — the fact that areas such as Chhend and Basanti Colony are still not freehold zones. “Demand for housing in these areas is very high, but development is restricted. Once these areas become freehold, it will unlock opportunities for many families to own homes and will fuel overall growth in the city,” he explains.
For Mr. Agrawal, technology-enabled transparency is key. “If processes become completely digital and transparent, development will progress faster — similar to what we see in countries like the USA and across Europe. Builders should not have to run from tehsildar offices to collector offices to get work done,” he emphasizes.
This vision for efficiency and integrity is reflected in the work culture of Shyam Builders. The company is registered under ORERA and ensures that every project complies with government regulations, giving customers complete peace of mind. Even during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shyam Builders kept projects on schedule, adapted to new norms, and continued to deliver on its commitments — a testament to its professionalism and resilience.
“Our aim is to build more than homes — we aspire to create communities that elevate the quality of life for our customers,” Mr. Agrawal says. “Our vision is to grow into a world-class construction company, driven by integrity, excellence, and customer trust.”
Looking ahead, Shyam Builders plans to diversify its portfolio beyond residential developments, contributing to Odisha’s larger growth story. Mr. Agrawal also stresses the importance of balanced regional development: “Urban growth should not be concentrated only in Bhubaneswar. Cities like Rourkela are ready for transformation, and we are committed to playing our part in that journey.”
To the younger generation, his message is simple yet powerful: “Whatever path you choose, work with honesty and consistency. Excellence will follow.”
With vision, discipline, and a passion for innovation, Mr. Rajeev Kumar Agrawal and Shyam Builders are not just developing real estate — they are helping shape the future of Rourkela, one thoughtfully designed project at a time.
