Digital technologies and tools hold the promise of transforming all facets of infrastructure development, from concept, planning, design and construction to operations and maintenance (O&M). Integrated project controls and digitalised asset management can empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and enhance governance and control over infrastructure assets across sectors. In an interview with Indian Infrastructure, Kamalakannan Thiruvadi, Regional Executive, South Asia, Bentley Systems, talked about the emerging technology trends in the infrastructure engineering space, Indian experience so far and Bentley’s focus areas…
What are Bentley’s key focus areas in the Indian market?
Bentley is strategically concentrating on the infrastructure sector, with India emerging as a pivotal market due to its significant emphasis on infrastructure enhancement. The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) projects an investment of around $1.6 trillion across diversified sectors, presenting numerous opportunities for Bentley Systems amid the array of large-scale projects at various stages of development.
Our technological solutions are extensively utilized across various infrastructure domains within India. Notably, in the road sector, there has been a remarkable expansion of the national highway network from 91,000 km in 2019 to over 144,000 km currently, with anticipations of reaching 200,000 km by 2025. The construction pace has increased to 42 km per day, quadrupling the rate from a decade ago. This acceleration and efficiency in construction are largely attributed to the adoption of advanced technology, wherein Bentley has played a significant role.
Looking ahead, Bentley will maintain its focus on the transportation, water sector within the Indian market. We offer a plethora of solutions and technologies for roads & bridges, rail & transit, drinking water projects under AMRUT & Jal Jeevan Mission. Moreover, we are exploring opportunities in the energy sector, including hydrocarbon, power, and renewable energy segments.
With over 25 years of engagement in India, Bentley is at the forefront of developing industry-specific solutions. Among these are the innovative digital twin platform for Bridge Monitoring & Inspection, Dam Monitoring, PlantSight for Plant & Process Industries, and WaterSight for the Water & Waste-Water Sectors – to name a few. The digital twin technology, supersedes BIM as it integrates real time data and human interaction, positioning Bentley as a leader in this space.
As Bentley’s representative in India, my focus is on strategizing business growth, especially in the Transportation, Water, and Energy sectors. The critical role of technology in achieving timely project completion, reducing costs, upholding quality and safety standards, and enhancing efficiency is increasingly acknowledged.
Bentley is also committed to nurturing future talent through collaborations with educational institutions, providing complimentary access to Bentley software via the Bentley Academic Program. Advocating for technological adoption to policymakers and government institutions is crucial. Our strategy revolves around collaborating with our customers to broaden the application of our solutions, ensuring that technology benefits the broader infrastructure sector and, by extension, the general populace.
How would you assess digital adoption across different sectors? Which sectors have higher digital maturity?
Digitalization is fundamentally altering the landscape of project management across all sectors, with notable advancements in technology being implemented in various projects within road transport, oil and gas, water sectors, among others. Construction technology, in particular, is experiencing increased acceptance, especially in metro rail system projects. For instance, the Nagpur Metro exemplifies comprehensive technological integration from the design phase through to operations and maintenance. The airport sector, too, is witnessing a rapid embrace of technology, propelled by heightened privatization.
Transportation appears to be at the forefront of sectors embracing digital transformation. However, there is a growing recognition and implementation of technology in the water sector as well. The draft manual by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs highlights the incorporation of technologies like digital twins. Progress is also evident at the urban local body (ULB) level, with entities such as the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran championing the adoption of technology in various projects. Furthermore, numerous ULBs are actively seeking funding under the Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT schemes to digitalize their water network infrastructures.
The wind sector, too, holds considerable promise for technological advancement. The development of large-scale wind farms presents substantial opportunities for deploying technologies like digital twins. With numerous solar and wind projects outlined in the NIP, there is a significant potential for technology adoption, underscoring the transformative impact of digitalization across sectors.
What are the key challenges before you?
The industry’s perception of digitalization and its potential to revolutionize the sector in terms of advantages and impact is evolving. There is an increasing recognition and interest within the community. A primary obstacle remains the perception of technology, along with its associated tools and solutions, as a cost rather than an investment. Bentley’s mission is to demonstrate the significant value that technology can contribute.
Additionally, the scarcity of skilled professionals presents another challenge. It is imperative that individuals for whom these systems are designed receive proper training. Bentley is actively engaging with various educational institutions through the Bentley Academic Program to offer training on Bentley tools, and is collaborating with universities and colleges to address this need.
To make access more financially viable, the majority of Bentley tools are offered via an annual subscription model, which reduces the initial acquisition cost.
What is your outlook for digital twin deployment in India?
We are observing notable advancements in this area. Through our engagements with the Ministries related to Infrastructure in the Central & State Govt., we can see there is an evident increase in awareness. Several pilot projects are already in progress.
Moreover, the digital twin platform represents a significant development where vast quantities of data—ranging from engineering and drone data to information from various systems—are being integrated and processed. This technology is in a phase of continuous evolution, allowing for the incorporation of multiple systems to enhance its robustness and capabilities.