India's ambitious economic targets, including reaching a $10 trillion economy and achieving its 2047 vision, demand a more comprehensive approach to infrastructure development than merely building highways. This was the consensus among industry leaders at the Business Today Infrastructure Summit 2026, who emphasized the need for smarter logistics, sustainable transportation, energy-efficient industries, and investor-friendly reforms.
Expanding Beyond Road Networks
Vinod Aggarwal, Vice Chairman of Eicher Motors and Chairman of VE Commercial Vehicles, acknowledged the government's substantial capital expenditure on infrastructure, which has significantly improved India's highway system. However, he pointed out that logistics costs remain high, hindering manufacturing competitiveness.
"The government has consistently allocated over Rs 10 lakh crore towards infrastructure in recent years, but logistics costs continue to remain high," Aggarwal stated, adding that for India to achieve its economic goals, improvements are needed across manufacturing competitiveness, supply chains, industrial clusters, green energy, and digital infrastructure.
Aggarwal also stressed that the commercial vehicle industry must evolve alongside modern infrastructure, developing safer, more fuel-efficient, and digitally connected trucks.
The Road to Cleaner Mobility
The transition to cleaner mobility, particularly for heavy vehicles, presents unique challenges. Aggarwal noted that electric trucks face slower adoption rates compared to passenger vehicles due to higher upfront costs and financing complexities. He explained that the capital cost of an electric truck can be more than double that of a conventional one, with financiers still evaluating the long-term performance of the technology. Meanwhile, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is gaining traction, and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines are anticipated to become a major technology in the coming decade.
Boosting Industrial Energy Efficiency
Sanjeev Arora, President, Motion Business at ABB India, highlighted industrial energy efficiency as a significant opportunity for India to advance sustainability and reduce overall energy demand. Industries account for nearly 40% of the country's energy consumption, with approximately 60% of that attributed to motor-driven equipment.
Arora suggested that deploying high-efficiency motors, variable frequency drives, and digital technologies could reduce industrial energy consumption by 30-40%. "Whatever kilowatt is not consumed is the cleanest form of energy," he remarked, emphasizing that widespread energy savings could power millions of homes without requiring additional generation capacity.
Streamlining Infrastructure Financing and Policy
Palash Srivastava, Deputy Managing Director of India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd. (IIFCL), offered an optimistic view on infrastructure financing, stating that it is no longer the primary bottleneck if projects are structured efficiently. He observed a shift from government-led financing towards financial institutions utilizing innovative models and outcome-based project evaluations.
Looking ahead, Srivastava identified sectors such as data centers, intelligent transport systems, shipping, and aerospace as likely to attract greater investor interest as India's physical infrastructure matures. However, Nilesh Tribhuvan, Managing Partner at White & Brief Advocates & Solicitors, called for faster policy execution, advocating for single-window clearances, quicker commercial dispute resolution, and dedicated fast-track courts to enhance investor confidence and prevent project delays.
A Coordinated Path Forward
The summit concluded that while India has established a strong foundation for infrastructure development, sustaining high economic growth will necessitate coordinated progress across several critical areas: innovative financing models, widespread technology adoption, comprehensive regulatory reforms, and a steadfast commitment to clean and sustainable infrastructure solutions.