All stakeholders, including industry, government, investors, institutions, and communities, need to work together to build infrastructure that is not only functional but also resilient, inclusive, and sustainable, opines YR Nagaraja.
In India, infrastructure is more than just roads, bridges, and buildings; it’s the foundation of our growth story. It determines how efficiently we live, how sustainably we grow, and how inclusively we progress. Over the years, this sector has evolved rapidly. From mega highways to smart cities, from metro networks to renewable energy parks, India’s ambitions have never been higher. The `10 trillion investment in the 2023-24 Union Budget underscores India’s ambitions, but the real challenge is ensuring longevity and impact. But here is the real question: how do we ensure this infrastructure stands the test of time and truly serves people?
The answer, in my view, lies in partnerships. Today, we are facing an unprecedented wave of urbanisation. Cities are growing faster than ever, and the pressure on infrastructure is immense. Building in silos won’t work anymore. What we need now are collaborative models for partnerships that bring together the strengths of governments, private players, financial institutions, communities, and even academia. Because when we come together, we don’t just build projects, we build purpose.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are a great example of this. They have helped unlock innovation, reduce risks, and ensure efficient execution. And more importantly, they offer tailor-made solutions suited to India’s diverse and complex landscape. But collaboration is not just about sharing responsibilities; it’s about co-creating outcomes. Infrastructure should respond to real needs, not just policy plans. And this only happens when diverse voices are heard and included from the start.
Demonstrable successes
We have already seen this working well. Take India’s waste management efforts, for example. In several cities, local governments, NGOs, and private tech firms have come together to build integrated waste management systems. These are helping to not only solve sanitation challenges but also promote recycling, energy recovery, and circularity. Similarly, in renewable energy, collaboration has powered India’s phenomenal growth. We are now generating over 46 per cent of our total capacity from clean sources, and we are well on track to meet our 500 GW target by 2030.
But that is just the beginning. What excites one the most is how this spirit of partnership is expanding into other critical areas of urban infrastructure. Just recently, IIT-Delhi partnered with the Centre for Railway Information Systems to jointly improve the security, connectivity, and digital capacity of India’s railway networks. This is a perfect example of how academic research can directly support real-world infrastructure challenges.
On an international front, RITES—India’s transport consultancy—has joined hands with Etihad Rail in the UAE to work on their national rail network. Indian expertise is now being exported globally, creating value not just at home but also abroad.
Even in financing, collaboration is making waves. Punjab National Bank and India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd have entered a partnership to co-finance long-term infrastructure projects. It is strategic, and it reduces the burden on any single institution. Similarly, NaBFID and the New Development Bank (NDB) have signed an MoU to co-fund sustainable development initiatives in clean energy and urban mobility, proving that development finance can be a powerful enabler when aligned with global priorities.
And there’s more. In the water and sanitation sector, the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute and Arghyam are working together to create digital public infrastructure for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. Their work could redefine how underserved communities access clean water and hygiene services, using data and technology as drivers of inclusion.
Each of these partnerships tells the same story: we are stronger together. And as we move forward, the success of our infrastructure journey will depend on how well we nurture this culture of collaboration.
Policy support critical
Of course, partnerships are not always easy. They require trust, alignment of goals, open dialogue, and a willingness to listen. Everyone involved must stay equally committed, right from project conceptualisation to delivery and operations. And for this to work seamlessly, policy support becomes crucial. Policy frameworks should not only incentivise investment but also streamline execution and accountability. India has made encouraging progress on that front, but we can still do more regarding simplifying procedures, creating better incentive frameworks, and empowering local decision-makers.
At the end of the day, building infrastructure isn’t just about cement and steel; it is about people. It is about how we live, move,
and thrive. And no single organisation,however resourceful, can go it alone. It will take all of us, including industry, government, investors, institutions, and communities, working in tandem to build infrastructure that is not only functional but also resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.
If we get this right, we won’t just be building roads and rails—we’ll be laying down the path for India’s future.
About the author:
YR Nagaraja, Managing Director, Ramky Infrastructure
Seven Pillars of Collaboration
The Scale of India’s Infrastructure Growth
Rs.10 trillion allocated in the 2023-24 Union Budget for infrastructure development.
Projects span roads, railways, smart cities, and renewable energy parks.
The Power of Collaboration
PPPs unlock innovation and efficiency.
Academic and industry partnerships drive real-world solutions.
Infrastructure and Sustainability
46% of India’s energy capacity now comes from renewables; targeting 500 GW by 2030.
Water and sanitation initiatives leveraging tech-driven solutions for underserved communities.
Financing the Future
Punjab National Bank & India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd co-financing major projects.
NaBFID & New Development Bank (NDB) funding clean energy and urban mobility.
Global Impact of Indian Infrastructure Expertise
RITES partnered with UAE’s Etihad Rail for their National network.
India’s transport and Infrastructure expertise is now shaping international projects.
Overcoming Challenges
Streamlining regulations, incentive frameworks, and local governance to improve execution.
Policy needs to ensure alignment, transparency, and accountability in large-scale projects.
A Vision for the Future
Infrastructure is more than roads & bridges; it determines sustainability and inclusivity.
True success depends on partnerships between industry, government, and communities.