Disbursals of financing to contractors needs to be done in a timely manner

01 Jul 2019 Editorial Team

Metro-rail lines are one of the best mass-transit options for the public in congested city areas. Rahul Shah, COO-Urban Infrastructure, Tata Projects, shares his views and elaborates on the big construction opportunities coming up in this segmentwith SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN.

How do you view the current growth and construction opportunity in this segment?

There are 67 metro-rail projects across 27 cities in India. Of these, nearly 54 projects are at various stages of development and many more are being planned. Hence, huge potential exist for setting up metro-rail lines across Indian cities.

How do you view the availability of funds for project execution?

These projects are economically viable and, therefore, will not face funding constraints. In addition, many domestic and international financial institutions are keen to fund metro-rail projects.

How do you view the construction opportunities in the sector for the next five years?

We are currently undertaking projects in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. We have also recently executed metro-rail projects within stipulated timelines in Lucknow and Ghaziabad.

We feel there is a huge potential to setup metro-rail lines across Indian cities. About 650 km are currently operational, and another 600 km of sanctioned metro-rail lines are under construction and are expected to be operational in the next five years. In addition, proposals for about 1,000 km are under planning. This gives us immense confidence in the long-term potential of the sector and shall contribute significantly to our company’s overall growth.

Any recommendations to give a further fillip to the sector?

By 2030, it is estimated that India will have 71 metropolitan cities, of which seven would have a population of over 10 million. This will make our cities denser and congested, thereby necessitating a reliable and top-notch, intra-city commuting option. Here, metro-rail networks will emerge as the best mass public transportation model that can be adopted nationwide. However, we feel the decision-making process and awarding of contracts needs to be faster. The issue of securing local-level permissions needs to be simplified and quicker. Right of way is an issue that needs to be addressed so that timely project completion is achieved. Disbursals of financing to contractors need to be done in a timely manner. This will not only support the government’s developmental agenda but also spur domestic industry.

Considering the metro-rail and other construction segments, which sectors will the company’s business focus on?

As an end-to-end player in the infrastructure sector, we expect enhanced opportunities across the entire business, thereby spurring the company onto higher growth levels in future. We feel the Government will continue to focus on infrastructure projects and expedite their implementation. We foresee huge potential in metro-rail, roads, water supply and wastewater management, power and transmission, housing, smart cities, industrial facilities and allied amenities such as construction of hospitals, hotels, educational institutions and tourism facilities.

Metro-rail lines are one of the best mass-transit options for the public in congested city areas. Rahul Shah, COO-Urban Infrastructure, Tata Projects, shares his views and elaborates on the big construction opportunities coming up in this segmentwith SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN. How do you view the current growth and construction opportunity in this segment?There are 67 metro-rail projects across 27 cities in India. Of these, nearly 54 projects are at various stages of development and many more are being planned. Hence, huge potential exist for setting up metro-rail lines across Indian cities.How do you view the availability of funds for project execution?These projects are economically viable and, therefore, will not face funding constraints. In addition, many domestic and international financial institutions are keen to fund metro-rail projects. How do you view the construction opportunities in the sector for the next five years?We are currently undertaking projects in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. We have also recently executed metro-rail projects within stipulated timelines in Lucknow and Ghaziabad.We feel there is a huge potential to setup metro-rail lines across Indian cities. About 650 km are currently operational, and another 600 km of sanctioned metro-rail lines are under construction and are expected to be operational in the next five years. In addition, proposals for about 1,000 km are under planning. This gives us immense confidence in the long-term potential of the sector and shall contribute significantly to our company’s overall growth. Any recommendations to give a further fillip to the sector?By 2030, it is estimated that India will have 71 metropolitan cities, of which seven would have a population of over 10 million. This will make our cities denser and congested, thereby necessitating a reliable and top-notch, intra-city commuting option. Here, metro-rail networks will emerge as the best mass public transportation model that can be adopted nationwide. However, we feel the decision-making process and awarding of contracts needs to be faster. The issue of securing local-level permissions needs to be simplified and quicker. Right of way is an issue that needs to be addressed so that timely project completion is achieved. Disbursals of financing to contractors need to be done in a timely manner. This will not only support the government’s developmental agenda but also spur domestic industry.Considering the metro-rail and other construction segments, which sectors will the company’s business focus on?As an end-to-end player in the infrastructure sector, we expect enhanced opportunities across the entire business, thereby spurring the company onto higher growth levels in future. We feel the Government will continue to focus on infrastructure projects and expedite their implementation. We foresee huge potential in metro-rail, roads, water supply and wastewater management, power and transmission, housing, smart cities, industrial facilities and allied amenities such as construction of hospitals, hotels, educational institutions and tourism facilities.

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

Infrastructure Urban

08 May 2026

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Infrastructure Transport

08 May 2026

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..