PANEL DISCUSSION

Session Synopsis: India’s road infrastructure needs over $1.4 trillion by 2040—and funding it sustainably is the key. This session will explore new-age financing tools like InvITs, REITs, ESG-linked bonds, and hybrid PPP models that are transforming investor confidence. Experts will evaluate regulatory enablers, lessons from stalled PPPs, and ways to reduce risk while ensuring long-term returns.

Session Keynote:

• Ashish Kumar Singh, Chief General Manager- Finance, National Highway Authority of India

Focus of Discussion:

• Emerging financial instruments (InvITs, REITs, ESG-linked bonds, etc.)
• Evolution and challenges of PPP models in road infrastructure
• De-risking mechanisms and long-term return assurance
• Role of government policy and regulatory enablers
• Mobilising domestic and foreign institutional capital
• Funding models for rural and tribal road development

Moderator

• Suneel Vora, Partner and Head - Major Projects Advisory Services, Business Consulting, KPMG in India

Speakers:

• Abhishek Chhajer, Chief Financial Officer, Highways Infrastructure Trust
• Dr. Brijesh Dixit,Managing Director, Maharashtra state infrastructure development corporation (MSIDC)
• Phani Prasad Mandalaparthy, Associate Director – Transport, Mobility & Logistics, Crisil Intelligence
• Ajay Saxena,Field Expert / Sector Head (Infrastructure Development), Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA)
• Vishal Biraia,Fund Manager, Bandhan Infrastructure Fund

Session Synopsis: India’s road infrastructure needs over $1.4 trillion by 2040—and funding it sustainably is the key. This session will explore new-age financing tools like InvITs, REITs, ESG-linked bonds, and hybrid PPP models that are transforming investor confidence. Experts will evaluate regulatory enablers, lessons from stalled PPPs, and ways to reduce risk while ensuring long-term returns.

Focus of Discussion:

• Role of Digital Twin, BIM, GIS, and AI in road project planning
• Use of drones and IoT for real-time construction monitoring
• Tech-driven improvements in DPR preparation and approval timelines
• Integration with Gati Shakti for multimodal logistics planning
• Digital public infrastructure enabling data-driven decision making
• Using digital mapping for inclusive and intelligent network planning
• Using digital mapping for inclusive road network planning
• Designing of DPRs (Geo spatial)

Moderator

• Ashutosh Kapoor, Partner, KPMG India

Speakers:

• Dr. Shrikant Gabale, Managing Director, Graphias Solutions
• Ratan Lal Kashyap,President – SCM, DRAIPL
• Rajesh Kumar, Operations Manager, Aeroscan Technology
• Dr Sharmila Amin,Managing Director - South Asia India, Bertling Logistics India
• Chandra Vasireddy, CEO and Co-Founder, Inncircles

PANEL DISCUSSION

Session Synopsis: India’s road network must connect remote hamlets as efficiently as it links metros and ports. This session will spotlight strategies to integrate last-mile programmes like PMGSY with Bharatmala and logistics corridors, ensuring inclusive growth, better rural access, and seamless connectivity from village to value chain.

Focus of Discussion:

• Synergising PMGSY, Bharatmala, and other road connectivity schemes
• Challenges in last-mile rural connectivity and logistics integration
• Ensuring socio-economic upliftment through better connectivity
• Case studies of integrated rural-urban transport corridors
• Incorporating road safety in rural and tribal infrastructure development
• Safety in roads (Loss due to accidents in logistics
• Importance of rural road concretisation

Moderator

• Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, Senior Director, Crisil

Speakers:

• Prof Satish Pandey, Senior Scientist, Flexible Pavement Division, CSIR-CRRI
• Brig Gurjeet Singh Kambo, Head, Special Initiatives, TI IC, L&T
• Anil Banchor, Managing Director and CEO, RDC Concrete