Road construction and irrigation activities are claimed to be driving growth in the earthmoving and constrction equipment sector. Sales grew by 49.41 per cent between January and July, claim industry sources. They add that sales grew at the fastest pace in the last five years, including three years of consecutive decline between 2012 and 2014. Sales rose to 26,106 units during the first seven months of the year from 17,472 units during the year-ago period, according to data provided by Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA). The sales figures include the sale of construction equipment such as back-hoe loaders, wheel-loaders and material handling equipment such as skid steers and telescopic handlers. For sustained growth in the segment, industry sources claim that it is essential for all key infrastructure sectors like railways, urban development and real estate to contribute. They add that the move from Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model helped.