Established in 2012, Capacit鈥檈 Infraprojects has grown into a leading construction firm, delivering high-rise buildings, hospitals, data centres and large-scale projects across India. With a strong presence in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, the company continues to drive innovation and efficien...
Established in 2012, Capacit鈥檈 Infraprojects has grown into a leading construction firm, delivering high-rise buildings, hospitals, data centres and large-scale projects across India. With a strong presence in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, the company continues to drive innovation and efficiency in the sector. Rahul Katyal, Managing Director, discussed Capacit鈥檈鈥檚 latest technologies, growth plans and industry challenges with CW. Excerpts from the interview.With a robust order book of Rs 100.47 billion and a well-diversified portfolio, which sectors do you see as key growth drivers in the near future? How has the public-private order mix evolved over time?Our order book remains strong, with a 70:30 split between government and private-sector projects. We are increasingly selective in private-sector partnerships, working with top names like Godrej, Signature, Oberoi, Phoenix and Raymonds. Our long-term collaboration with Raymonds has grown from an initial Rs 2 billion contract to Rs 16 billion through repeat orders, reflecting mutual trust and efficiency.On the government front, our share has expanded with large-scale projects under PMAY and growing investments in healthcare infrastructure. We are currently building three hospital complexes in Mumbai and gaining expertise in super-specialty hospitals. Additionally, the Government鈥檚 focus on convention centres, airports, railway station modernisation and institutional buildings presents significant opportunities for us.How significant will the recent Rs 13.20 billion from NBCC be for your growth trajectory over the next 12 to 24 months?NBCC鈥檚 projects are fast-tracked, with strict Supreme Court monitoring to address homebuyer delays. Our Rs 13.20 billion contract in Delhi has a tight 24-month deadline, but pollution-related NGT restrictions effectively reduce our working period to 21 months. This demands efficient resource mobilisation and accelerated planning. The Government's push for rapid execution has compressed project timelines from 36-40 months to 24 months, driving the adoption of advanced technologies. For NBCC, we are using monolithic casting and high-end formwork systems from Malaysia, ensuring that private and government-sector projects now operate at similar efficiency and quality standards.Please share the current status and key highlights of the BDD Chawl Redevelopment in Worli, Mumbai.The BDD Chawl Redevelopment is India鈥檚 largest redevelopment project executed in one of the most logistically challenging locations in Mumbai. Winning the trust of the residents was crucial, assuring them of timely delivery and high construction quality. Six towers are nearing completion and will be handed over in the coming months 鈥� one of the fastest turnarounds in South Mumbai, even outpacing private-sector timelines. The project comprises 10 towers, each 76 floors high, and 33 high-rise rehabilitation buildings standing 40 stories tall, transforming the city's skyline. Under MHADA, housing allocations will follow a lottery system, with the township featuring modern infrastructure, internal roads, electrification and civic amenities.What are the biggest pain points in construction, particularly in Mumbai?Mumbai鈥檚 biggest construction challenge is logistics 鈥� material scarcity is rising due to simultaneous large-scale developments, making meticulous planning essential. Pollution control is another major concern. If proactive steps aren鈥檛 taken, Mumbai could face stricter environmental regulations, leading to further delays. Adopting better pollution control measures now is critical for sustainable development.Which companies are you partnering with?We primarily use Mivan formwork, a pioneer in the industry, though we are evaluating Indian alternatives. Consistency and interchangeability across projects are key factors in our selection. For equipment, we have long-term partnerships with Potain for tower cranes and Schwing Stetter for concrete pumps. Rather than frequently changing vendors, we focus on strategic alliances that ensure reliability. Equipment breakdowns can be costlier than the initial investment, so we prioritise competency over price.Do you own or rent your equipment?Most major equipment is procured and forms part of our asset base. However, for short-duration projects or when our existing assets are fully utilised, we consider rentals selectively. Our capital expenditure is planned annually and we maintain flexibility for high-value business opportunities.How does the company ensure financial viability and effectively manage cost escalations in large-scale building construction projects?All our projects are cash contracts, so financial viability is assessed before bidding. The key factor we evaluate is cash flow balance 鈥� if a project shows significant negative cash flow, we refrain from bidding. Both government and private-sector payment terms have improved, ensuring better cash flow management. However, for large and complex EPC projects, we conduct an in-depth cash flow analysis. If the projections are positive, we proceed; otherwise, we opt out.How does the company ensure environmental sustainability, particularly in large construction projects like BDD Redevelopment, where the environmental impact is high?For large redevelopment projects, pollution control and environmental sustainability are key priorities. We have implemented inhouse measures such as enclosing construction sites with monofilament nets to minimise dust emissions, deploying sprinklers and mist-fogging machines to control airborne particles, and adopting systematic recycling and disposal strategies to manage construction waste efficiently. These initiatives help us comply with environmental regulations while minimising disruption to surrounding communities.What are the latest technologies implemented by the company?Technology selection depends on the project type, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach. For high-rises, we use jump form or deck form, while mass housing and rehabilitation projects require tunnel formwork. In dense urban areas like South Mumbai, structural steel is preferred, whereas precast technology is best suited for low-cost housing. India already has access to these technologies, eliminating the need for imports. At Capacit鈥檈, our inhouse team assesses method statements during the bidding stage to ensure cost-effective and efficient execution.How does Capacit鈥檈 Infraprojects integrate sustainability into its construction practices?Sustainability is a core focus, and we strictly adhere to environmental, social and governance (ESG) norms. To minimise environmental impact, we prioritise material reuse through efficient recycling of steel and concrete, adopt sensor-based fixtures for water and energy conservation, and integrate eco-friendly materials and processes into our construction practices. With construction accounting for 45 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, second only to aviation, widespread industry adoption of green practices is crucial and government mandates will play a key role in driving this shift.What policy changes do you expect from the Government to improve pollution control in construction?Asian cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong have strict regulations ensuring that high-rise buildings under construction are fully enclosed, significantly reducing dust emissions. India needs a common policy with clear specifications on pollution control measures, ensuring uniform implementation across all sites. Currently, contractors rely on their own methods, leading to inconsistencies. A government-mandated framework should standardise best practices, specifying engineering methods and materials for effective dust and pollution control.What are the company's short-term and long-term growth plans? Where do you see the company in five years?The market is shifting towards EPC and general contracting, with clients expecting end-to-end project execution, including regulatory approvals and design. Recognising the shift, we are strengthening design capabilities, building a robust vendor and supply chain network, and enhancing engineering expertise through targeted training. Over the next five years, our goal is to rank among India鈥檚 top three EPC contractors, delivering large-scale, complex EPC projects with excellence.
