GMR Group

GMR Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate headquartered in New Delhi. The group was founded in 1978 by Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao and comprises several companies including GMR Infrastructure, GMR Energy, GMR Airports, and GMR Enterprises. Employing the public-private partnership model, the Group has implemented several infrastructure projects in India. The Group also has a global presence with infrastructure operating assets and projects in several countries including Philippines and Greece.
GMR Group owns, develops, operates, and manages airports, major energy utilities, highways, and urban infrastructure facilities. With a net asset base of nearly US$25 billion, it is one of India's largest infrastructure development companies. GMR Group is famous for operating the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Palam, Delhi.
As per the Forbes list of India’s 100 richest tycoons, dated October 9, 2024, Rao is ranked 78th with a net worth of $3.99 Billion.
GMR Group chairman Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao, a first-generation entrepreneur hailing from Rajam in Srikakulam District in Andhra Pradesh, pledged $340 million, which is equivalent to his personal share in the infrastructure conglomerate, to improve education among the under-served sections of the society.
The company started with agri-based industries like jute, sugar, and breweries and has slowly moved into the infrastructure space over the past decade. Now the GMR group interests lie in areas of Airports, Energy, Highways, and Urban Infrastructure.
GMR Infrastructure Limited is the infrastructure holding company formed to fund the capital requirements of various infrastructure projects across the sectors. It undertakes the development of infrastructure projects through its various subsidiaries.
GMR Group entered the airports development space in 2003, through subsidiary GMR Airports Limited.
GMR Airports limited operates Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Goa's Manohar International Airport and Nagpur's Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. Besides this, the Group has recently been awarded the concession for the development, operations, and management of Bhogapuram Airport in Visakhapatnam. In the year 2020, the group signed the concession agreement to commission, operationalize, and maintain the Civilian Enclave at the Bidar Airport in Karnataka. GMR Group is developing airport cities on the commercial lands available around its airports in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa.
In the International market, it operates Mactan Cebu International Airport in The Philippines and New Heraklion International Airport in Greece.
In July 2020, Groupe ADP acquired a 49% stake in GMR Airports.
In April 2021, GMR Group announced the launch of GMR Hyderabad Airport City, which is proposed to be the largest aerotropolis in India spread across 1,500-acre (6.1 km) around Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, and is being billed as an "integrated ecosystem covering Office Space, Retail, Leisure, Entertainment, Hospitality, Education, Healthcare, Aerospace & Logistics". In September 2021, GMR Group said that it would invest ₹ 519.52 crore towards metro connectivity at the airport. During foundation laying ceremony of Hyderabad Airport Metro Express on 9 December 2022, GMR Group contributed ₹625 crore (US$73 million), or 10 percent of the project's cost.
GMR Aero Services offers specialized services in the field of airport development and operations, which include aviation consultation, engineering and maintenance, operations management, security solutions, and staff training.
GMR Aero Academy (GMRAA) was established at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad, Hyderabad in 2009.
GMR started its Aviation Academy in Kochi, Kerala on 23 January 2023 at ASAP Community Skill Park, KINFRA, Kalamassery, Kochi.
GMR Aviation was formed in 2006 to offer aircraft charter services and consultancy for business aviation. Apart from owning and managing its own fleet, GMR Aviation also manages aircraft of other business groups.
GMR Engineering and Management Services (GEMS), is a provider of engineering and management services and has been in operation for the last 15 years.
GMR Group is a player in the Indian power sector with an installed capacity of 3200 MW. The group has 15 power generation projects across Hydro, Thermal, and Renewable energy of which 11 are operational and 4 are under various stages of development.
In the Urban structure business, the GMR group is currently developing an 850- hectare large format 'Special Investment Regions' (SIR) at Krishnagiri, near Hosur in Tamil Nadu. The SIR is designed and developed by GMR as self-contained eco-systems for economic activity.
GMR's Transportation business has surface transport projects including roads, railways, metros, and airstrips/runways in both DBFOT (under GMR Highways) and EPC (under GIL – EPC) segments. In roads and highways, GMR is a leading developer with 6 operating assets adding to the total length of over 2,400 lane km. In railways, GMR has a total order book of 4,000 Crores with projects from clients like Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).
GMR has forayed into sports by promoting the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team – Delhi Capitals and Pro Kabaddi League – UP Yodha.
Delhi Capitals
The Delhi Capitals was established in 2008 as Delhi Daredevils (DD). The franchise is jointly owned by the GMR Group and JSW Group. In 2023, they also jointly bought a team in the Women's Premier League based in Delhi.
Dubai Capitals
The Dubai Capitals team based in Dubai, competes in the International League T20 tournament since 2023. The team won the tournament in the year 2025.
UP Yoddha
UP Yoddha (UPY) is a Kabaddi team based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh that plays in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Seattle Orcas
The Seattle Orcas were founded in 2023 and compete in the Major League Cricket (MLC). They were runner up in 2023.
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GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF), the Corporate Social Responsibility wing of the Group, develops innovative and locale-specific initiatives in the areas of Education; Health, Hygiene & Sanitation; Empowerment & Livelihoods; and Community development programmes.
GMR RAXA is a private security company founded in 2005. It provide various security services like specialised security services, drone services, security consultancy, aviation security, fire safety and technical security. It is composed of former member of the military and law enforcement agencies.