In an exclusive interview to INFRASTRUCTURE TODAY, Debjani Chakrabarti, Director Highways, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) elucidates some of the key funding strategies being utilised by India as a part of the country's ambitious Rs 7 trillion roads building programme.

The construction industry has a massive role to play in the overall economic health of our country, and yet we are losing around 10 per cent-30 per cent of it through wastage.

In what should have been a major story that was buried under other headlines, India achieved a significant milestone in its Digital India programme when 100,000-gram panchayats, or village councils, across the country were connected through a high-speed optical fibre network called BharatNet.

India is on the verge of water crisis today. The crisis is twofold: major losses in potable water supply and inadequate sewage treatment facilities across the country.

Project delays, time and cost overrun in infrastructure projects, delays in regulatory approvals and contractual disputes are some of the challenges faced in implementing a project in India.

With more than 1,500 delegates and channel partners, 130 visiting journalists from 28 countries, showcase of more than 50 projects and countless announcements and sessions, the larger-than-life expo by Bentley Systems, was an exhilarating experience.

Coal mining activities by definition are commercial, but in India this has come to define the right of a coal miner to sell the products in open market.

The development of India's Smart Cities has to be people-centric if the programme has to succeed in the long-term, a cross section of experts opined. This will entail smarter use of available resources and technologies to improve both infrastructure and service delivery in areas proposed for such development.

Over the years, Taiwan has made big strides in the development and use of green technology. Organised by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Green Trade Project Office (GTPO), INFRASTRUCTURE TODAY's visit to this island country was purposeful.