India’s infrastructure landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 25 years, shaping the nation’s economic trajectory and global standing. In his latest book, Tarmac to Towers: The India Infrastructure Story, Pratap takes readers on an insightful journey through the milestones, challenges, and policy shifts that have defined this evolution. From mega metro projects to digital public infrastructure, the book offers a comprehensive analysis of how India has built its way to progress. In this exclusive interview with Storizen Magazine, Pratap shares his inspiration behind documenting this vast sector, the key takeaways from his research, and his predictions for India’s infrastructure growth in the coming decades. Read on for an engaging conversation about the past, present, and future of India’s infrastructure development.
Documenting 25 years of India’s infrastructure growth is no small feat, especially given the sector’s complexities and rapid transformations. What inspired you to undertake this ambitious project in Tarmac to Towers? Was there a defining moment that triggered your decision to delve into this subject?
I have tracked infrastructure from its birth by virtue of having written about its failings and successes over the year. During 1996, when India was slipping back into a slow lane after having battled a severe crisis in 1991, I felt that India needed to launch projects which could earn a daily livelihood for the millions of workers spread across the country. During that time former late Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee took several initiatives in this direction. I launched my magazine ‘Construction Update’ which later was renamed ‘Construction World’ and began providing an assessment of the opportunities that spring on the back of these projects. Having tracked the evolution of the concept of infrastructure and having dealt with those who unrolled this for our country, in mid 2023, as we were progressing towards ten years of the NDA regime, I found it a seminal moment to capture its entire trajectory.
Your book offers a balanced analysis of the sector. How did you navigate the challenge of presenting both achievements and shortcomings without bias?
This was my single most difficult challenge. I found the answer in presenting myself across truthfully. I have celebrated late former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s liberalisation program and been critical of his inability to jumpstart the administration when it was hit by policy paralysis. I have celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ending corruption, of delivering welfare to the masses without middlemen and so on but have also been critical of his demonetization debacle. I stood for India in terms of my mental frame at all times and am happy that in summary the book emerges as unbiased.
India’s infrastructure landscape has evolved dramatically over the last two decades. In your view, what has been the single most transformative project during this period, and why?
Over the last two decades, three projects stand out as the most transformative projects: 1) the metro rail project and 2) the renewable energy project& 3) the digital public infrastructure project because these will have a transformational effect on our country as a whole. Beginning with Kolkata Metro Rail which took over 20 years to finally kick off in October 1984 there was a lull in urban mobility until it began to hurt the growth in cities. Delhi Metro Rail began construction in 1998 and commenced operations in December 2002 and since then till date we have already over 1000 kms in operation across 17 metro systems. Similarly, India’s total electricity generation capacity at 452.69 GW, has renewable energy contributing 201.45 GW, or 46.3 percent of the country’s total installed capacity.Also the Jan Aadhar Mobile (JAM) trinity has enabled transfer of welfare directly to beneficiaries without middlemen. There are more than 54 crore Jan Dhan Yojana accounts, with a total deposit balance of over ₹2.39 lakh crore. In FY 2023-24, UPI transactions reached ₹200 lakh crore, and UPI now operational in seven countries. In fact, India is far ahead of developed nations in this segment.
You’ve been described as an industry expert and thought leader. How did your personal experiences influence the narrative and insights in Tarmac to Towers?
In 1986, I had co-founded Dalal Street Journal and then in 1996 started Construction World. This gave me a perspective of India’s growth both from the financial lens as well as from the lens of development. During this journey, I was fortunate to have engaged with experts and infuencers such as Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Dr E Sreedharan, Dr Anil Swarup, AM Naik, Aditya Birla, Steve Forbes, Larry Pressler, Suresh Prabhu, Prof Vaid and several others. My perspectives, therefore, were shaped by my understanding of the government, the society and the industry.
Infrastructure development is often seen as a barometer for economic health. What trends in India’s infrastructure growth do you believe will define the next 25 years?
The next 25 years are very critical for India. This is the period we have the demographic dividend and at the end of this period we will begin to lose this edge. We have to build the nation with the help of this young and aspiring population which needs to be skilled and needs to be provided jobs. India will be under construction for the next 20 years and the scale of the projects will keep increasing. We have already put out our bid to host the Olympics in 2036 and the scale of structures are being built to handle large capacities whether it be the Ram Mandir, the new terminals of airports, railway stations, ports, ropeways, expressways, corridors, tunnels, bridges, etc. But with these will come the era of quality in construction and of the use of green construction where there will be premium for companies that use environment friendly products and energy saving equipment. Times ahead will focus on recycling, waste management, water management and urban planning and municipal finance. Cities are the engines of growth and we will need to build greenfield cities and more satellite cities surrounding thriving metropolitan cities. In all these trends, Artificial Intelligence will help accelerate development.
Also Read: Book Review: ‘Tarmac to Towers’ by Pratap Padode
The book’s title, Tarmac to Towers, suggests a journey from the ground up. What does this metaphor mean to you, and how does it encapsulate India’s infrastructure story?
Way back in the seventies and eighties, the pre-liberlisation era put our nation’s progress on hold. When the gates of liberlisation were flung open by Prime Minister Narsimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh, it was because we had no choice not because it was a premeditated strategy. Therefore even after, liberalization was introduced, the administration mindset was from the regressive era. China and India were at the same level in 1987 when the nominal GDP of both was almost equal. Both countries were neck-to-neck in GDP per capita terms till 1991. Then China reached for the stars and we walked a muddled path. Our towers have begun taking shape now as our policy makers have realized the importance of development and all election agendas are now centred around development.
You highlight both opportunities and challenges in India’s infrastructure sector. Which challenge do you believe remains the most critical and unresolved today?
The most critical and unsolved problem remains to be ‘Corruption’. On this plank the current ruling party put its best foot forward in 2014 but this problem is far from having been even subdued and on the contrary has assumed mega proportions. Merit-based appointment of Public Sector Heads or merit based appointment of Police, and other executive administrators has been elusive.
In writing this book, you’ve likely interacted with various policymakers and industry leaders. Was there any particular insight or conversation that surprised you?
My interaction with Dr Anil Swarup was an enlightening one. He was made in-charge of the Project Monitoring Group when Dr Manmohan Singh realized that policy-paralysis had pervaded the system and the economy was at a standstill or set for a steep fall. The ease with which he has able to set the ball rolling for projects worth Rs 5 lac crore was very illuminating.So one project among them was the Delhi Aerocity, a 43-acre hotel hub near the Indira Gandhi International Airport which was originally scheduled to be completed for the Commonwealth Games in 2010, but had faced delays as the security agencies were concerned about runway-facing windows. Dr Swarup got the team together and sprung a twist before them. He demanded that a brick wall be constructed instead of the usual glass enclosure to protect the Prime Minister as he delivers his Independence Day speech. The security agencies realized that they had missed realizing that a solution already existed in their own protocol. Dr Swarup had alluded to the use of bullet proof glass for these windows in a subtle manner and the problem was solved.
For young professionals and entrepreneurs interested in infrastructure, what lessons from Tarmac to Towers do you think are most valuable for their journey?
Young professionals and entrepreneurs need to realise the importance of the opportunity in time that India has. India stands capable of fulfilling the most impossible of dreams. But one needs to dream big. India is an idea whose time has come. Are you ready?
Looking back at your journey in writing this comprehensive book, is there any aspect of India’s infrastructure story you wish you could have explored more deeply or differently?
I would have liked to explore more aspects of the evolution of the real estate development during the same period where a lot has taken place, particularly in the last ten years. I did not want to put anyone off by using a data heavy read so I could have reduced the data content. One other aspect that I could have done would have been to include many conversations which I had with several stalwarts and captains of the industry at different times during the period. I am sure this book will require an updation in a few years and maybe then I would be able to add these perspectives.
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