Suparjya swain 
Feature: In Rourkela, where the hum of industry mingles with the clang of steel and the promise of progress, one man has become the voice and face of its entrepreneurial spirit — Mr. Sunil Kayal. Known for his sharp business acumen and unwavering commitment to the region’s growth, Mr. Kayal today leads the Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), a body that has long been the bridge between the government and the industrial community. But his journey to the top is not just a story of business success — it is a story of resilience, vision, and a deep desire to shape the future of Odisha’s industrial heartland.
Mr. Kayal’s tryst with entrepreneurship began at the young age of twenty-four, when circumstances thrust him into the business world much earlier than expected. What might have seemed daunting to many became his proving ground. Guided by an unshakeable moral compass and rooted in discipline, honesty, and loyalty, he began building from scratch. Over the decades, he ventured into coal and coke trading, iron and steel processing, and recycling, steadily expanding into new areas and eventually founding the Gaylords Group, which today stands tall in the real estate and construction sector, known for its luxury residential projects and contribution to the city’s urban skyline.
This wealth of experience has made Mr. Kayal uniquely suited to his role at RCCI. Established in 1962, the chamber represents over a thousand members — from small traders to large industrial houses — and acts as a formidable platform for dialogue, advocacy, and action. Under Mr. Kayal’s leadership, RCCI has transformed into an energetic force, actively engaging with central and state governments, railways, and public sector undertakings to ensure that the concerns of the business community are heard and addressed. Whether it is pushing for better infrastructure, negotiating fair power tariffs, or improving the availability of raw materials, Mr. Kayal has positioned RCCI as an indispensable voice for industrial growth.
But his vision for Rourkela and Sundargarh is not limited to steel, the sector that put this region on the map. Mr. Kayal recognizes that for true economic resilience, the region must diversify. With its abundant reserves of coal, iron ore, and limestone, Sundargarh has the potential to grow into a multi-industry hub. Under his stewardship, RCCI is encouraging investment in mining, refractories, cement, logistics, and emerging sectors — creating a balanced ecosystem that can generate jobs, attract capital, and reduce dependence on a single industry.
Beyond boardrooms and factory floors, Mr. Kayal is equally passionate about giving back to society. He actively associates with organizations like GARIMA, which works to empower women, YHAI, promoting youth development, and ISKCON, which spreads cultural and spiritual values. His commitment to social service reflects a belief that business leaders must also be community leaders — guiding not just economic growth but social progress.
There is a quiet yet undeniable energy about Mr. Kayal’s leadership. His ability to blend entrepreneurial ambition with collective responsibility has made RCCI a powerful catalyst for change. Together, Mr. Kayal and the chamber are helping to redefine the industrial future of Rourkela, ensuring that its growth story is inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with the aspirations of the people who call this city home.
Mr. Sunil Kayal’s journey is ultimately the story of transformation — of a young man who turned family responsibility into a springboard for entrepreneurship, of a businessman who built an empire with integrity and foresight, and of a leader who now uses his platform to amplify the voices of thousands. As Rourkela marches toward becoming a diversified industrial powerhouse, Mr. Kayal’s influence will continue to shape its destiny, proving that leadership is not just about managing business but about creating legacies that endure.
