SHIFT FROM VOLUME TO VALUE

The Indian infrastructure procurement story is entering a decisive phase. As investments surge, success is no longer defined by scale alone, but by lifecycle value, localisation, energy efficiency, digital uptime, and execution excellence across projects.

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Around the beginning of 2025, when India's annual spending on public infrastructure surpassed ₹11 lakh crore, a noticeable change began to take place at several project sites, including surface mines in Odisha, underground operations in Rajasthan, and expressways in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The change was not just in scale, but in intent. The focus of procurement discussions has shifted from acquisition costs and delivery schedules to other factors. Rather, boardroom and site-level conversations started to be dominated by questions about lifecycle value, localisation, energy efficiency, emissions compliance, service depth, and digital uptime.

Globally, mature markets are recalibrating after years of aggressive expansion. Europe is dealing with cost inflation and sustainability standards, while China's construction equipment industry remains structurally slow. In contrast, India approaches 2026 with a unique combination of demand visibility, policy consistency, and manufacturing confidence. India is no longer just the world's fastest-growing market; it's also one of its most significant, with governmental infrastructure investment reaching ₹11 lakh crore and private capital gradually returning. Vision 2026, in this context, is neither a slogan nor a policy milestone. It is a working blueprint that guides how machines are created, projects are funded, and asset value is monitored throughout their existence.

From scale to sophistication

Over the past ten years, India has embarked on an enormous infrastructure drive. The nation continues to be the world's second-largest coal producer, constructs more than 12,000 km of roads per year, and runs more than 900 km of metro rail. Yet, complexity is required for the next stage of growth instead of a rapid increase.