Manobendra Ghoshal, Chief Strategy Officer, RITES in an exclusive freewheel interaction with E Jayashree Kurup, claims that this is exactly the time for RITES considering an all-time high capex grant in the budget, as RITES is uniquely placed in terms of diversification of services and its geographical reach.Excerpts of the interview...In this new era of India converting to an economic powerhouse, how do you envisage the role of the public sector?  Over the past 75 years, India has leapfrogged from steam traction to Vande Bharat, from earthen roads to green corridors, and much beyond. This transformational journey that helped India carve a unique identity has been achieved, in part, through the catalytic force of public sector undertakings (PSUs). Even during unfavorable economic conditions or crises, they have been a part of India’s self-reliant economic growth and balanced development. The public sector continues to evolve and adapt in the endeavour of making India an economic powerhouse. We at RITES Limited, a multidisciplinary consultancy organization, are proud to be a part of this process, offering mobility solutions across all sectors of infrastructure.How can they demonstrate leadership?The public sector will continue to lead the way for inclusive development by unlocking potential in new-age areas, improving last-mile connectivity, spurring green growth, bringing inaccessible/disconnected areas on the transport network, executing critical infrastructure projects, and improving regional connectivity. Besides, the public sector can deep dive into its large experience pool to help shape development in emerging areas.How can they drive expansion? How can PSUs set benchmarks?In terms of capital, the higher grant announced in the recent budget will help drive overall growth. We believe that PSUs can contribute to the expansion plan based on a three-pronged approach - infra growth, exports (Make in India, Make for the World) and net zero goal. PSUs have delivered desirable socio-economic outcomes despite many challenges. From providing employment and economic opportunities to becoming ‘Industrial Ambassadors’, PSUs have created an ecosystem to ideate, execute and build a sustainable livelihood for all. Thus, PSUs have been setting benchmarks of infrastructure development.As is clear from budget 2023, India intends massive investments in infrastructure from ports and airports to roads, rail, city infrastructure, all focussing on connectivity. How does RITES envisage its role in this entire process?This is exactly the time for us at RITES considering an all-time high capex grant in the budget, and RITES, being ‘The Infrastructure People’, is uniquely placed in terms of diversification of services and its geographical reach. We continue to envisage a growing presence across the sectors from railways to highways, airports, metros, urban planning, ropeways, station development, and sustainability, etc. Our strength is to provide an extensive bouquet of services on a single-window basis. Our offerings broadly cover consultancy, export of rolling stock & spare parts, locomotive leasing services, turnkey services, and sustainability & energy management. By fostering cooperation and collaboration through partnerships, we focus on the objective of ‘bridging the last mile’, thus shaping tomorrow’s mobility.How has RITES adapted to the rapid rise in technology? How has it impacted planning, operations, and execution of projects?With the vision of being ‘Future Ready’, the use of IT, digitisation, and adoption of cutting-edge technology form the bedrock of all our initiatives. We offer innovative, integrated, customised and sustainable solutions to our clients. Our design and survey methodologies are of global standards, as a consultant, we engage with the client from project initiation to post-execution. For instance, we undertake structural health monitoring of the Bogibeel Bridge, the longest rail-cum-road bridge in India and Asia's second longest rail-cum-road bridge, on the Brahmaputra in Dibrugarh, Assam. As a first, we proposed micro-synthetic poly fibers in the permanent tunnel linings in the Shinkun La tunnel project.  RITES’ technical capabilities and offerings such as aerial LiDar survey, remote inspection, and software in design & survey (for rail infrastructure) and expertise to get engaged with a project at any stage, help us gain a competitive advantage.Is continuous re-skilling required for technical workforces? If so, how do you take care of this?In today’s age of fast-paced technological advancement, it’s very important to evolve, stay relevant and build excellence. We emphasise the need to reskill and upskill our workforce through various initiatives like training programmes, knowledge-sharing sessions, workshops, seminars, and conferences, both online and offline. These cover a broad spectrum of topics, including technical, functional, behavioural and well-being as the key areas. We have tie-ups with IITs, IIMs and other institutes for the same. Also, recently, we have set up the Centre for Excellence ‘Abhikalp’ to promote research & development and innovative ideas and initiatives. Recognising our people-centered approach to the growth journey, we have also been honoured with the ‘Dream Companies to Work For’ Award-2023. The award is a testament to RITES’ endeavour of making its employees future ready.How do you build models that work on timely execution and completion? What are the major issues that derail timely completion?At RITES, we have adopted an agile and flexible approach to deal with challenges. As a consultant, we face problems from delays due to land acquisition, to complex engineering issues, topographical concerns, and supply chain disruptions, etc. However, all these are on a case-to-case basis and each challenge requires a different approach. We have a robust risk management system in place with close monitoring being done at the ground level which helps us constantly evolve to new heights. As consultants, we ensure that an organised ecosystem is in place considering all case scenarios.How does PM GatiShakti help in providing unified solutions?Initiatives like PM GatiShakti and the National Infrastructure Pipeline have been a trigger in shaping the infrastructure landscape. GatiShakti has given a unified vision to all infrastructure projects, complementing each other and developing an optimised network. It helps prioritise the projects and optimally utilise available resources.