L&T says India’s infrastructure future will rely on digital engineering, green construction practices, and a skilled, research-driven workforce.
By Economy India | November 29, 2025
India’s infrastructure landscape is entering a new era—one defined not only by rapid urban expansion and trillion-dollar economic ambition but also by digital transformation, sustainability mandates, and climate-resilient engineering. At the centre of this evolving narrative stands Larsen & Toubro (L&T), India’s largest engineering and construction conglomerate, preparing for its next phase of accelerated growth.
Speaking at The InfraPandit Awards 2025 in New Delhi, Sthaladipti Saha, Senior Vice President & Head – Buildings & Factories, L&T Construction, articulated the company’s strategic roadmap for the coming decade. His message was clear:
“The next phase of growth will be driven not only by scaling operations, but by digitisation, sustainability, and climate resilience.”
The statement captures more than a corporate aspiration—it reflects a tectonic shift in India’s infrastructure priorities as the country prepares for a multi-trillion-dollar development surge by 2035.
This in-depth feature explores the vision, strategy, and global context behind L&T’s next big leap.
A Transforming Infrastructure Ecosystem in India
Over the past two decades, India has undergone one of the fastest infrastructure expansions in the world:
- National Highway network doubled
- Renewable energy capacity crossed 200+ GW
- World’s largest metro rail expansion zone
- Smart Cities, industrial corridors, and mega ports
- Record new airports and greenfield expressways
But the recently launched policies — PM Gati Shakti, National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), Green Hydrogen Mission, National Energy Storage Framework, and Digital India Act — have drastically redefined how infrastructure must be built.
India is no longer building for the present.
It is constructing for the year 2050.
In this new paradigm, L&T’s vision aligns perfectly with India’s ambitions.
L&T’s Strategic Pivot: From Construction Giant to Future-Tech Infrastructure Powerhouse
Saha’s remarks highlight a clear transition:
Traditional construction expertise is no longer enough.
L&T is reorienting itself around four pillars:
Scaling operations across domestic and global markets
L&T already operates in more than 50 countries.
The next phase aims at:
- Large EPC projects in the Middle East
- Green infrastructure in Africa
- Manufacturing-driven contracts in Southeast Asia
- Data centre and semiconductor-related construction globally
India’s expanding diplomatic footprint and global south partnerships are opening unprecedented opportunities.
Digitisation across the entire construction value chain
L&T has begun integrating:
- Artificial Intelligence for predictive project management
- Digital twin modeling
- Robotics & automated machinery
- Drone-based monitoring
- Cloud-based real-time project integration systems
- BIM (Building Information Modelling) at scale
Saha noted that digitisation is no longer optional—it is foundational for precision, speed, and cost-efficiency in mega projects.
Climate resilience
India faces one of the world’s highest climate risks:
- Extreme heat events
- Monsoon irregularities
- Flooding in urban areas
- Coastal vulnerabilities
L&T’s strategy embraces:
- Climate-resilient building materials
- Water-sensitive urban design
- Advanced drainage & flood-prevention engineering
- Net-zero-ready industrial campuses
- Renewable-powered construction sites
Sustainability as a non-negotiable principle
From green cement to solar rooftops, L&T Construction is deeply embedding:
- Carbon footprint tracking
- ESG compliance
- High-efficiency HVAC systems
- Waste recycling systems
- Vertical gardens & green roofs
Saha repeatedly emphasized that “sustainability is engineering’s new DNA.”
Learning, Training & Doctoral Research: The Silent Revolution Inside L&T
In a rare acknowledgment for an engineering conglomerate, Saha highlighted the importance of doctoral research, academic partnerships, and deep technical training.
He remarked:
“L&T stands not only for Larsen & Toubro—it stands for Learning & Training.”
This reflects the company’s internal transformation:
- Higher investment in workforce skilling
- L&T Institutes of Project Management
- Partnerships with IITs, NITs, global engineering universities
- Research on new-age materials and automation
Doctoral research is especially crucial for:
- Climate adaptive engineering
- Digital construction tools
- Robotics integration
- Smart factory architecture
- Green building ecosystems
The company sees India’s future growth deeply intertwined with knowledge-driven engineering.
India’s Infrastructure Challenges — And L&T’s Solutions
India’s infrastructure model faces unique challenges:
Speed vs Quality
India is completing highways in record time, but long-term durability is equally critical.
L&T’s digital twin modelling and high-quality automation bridge this gap.
Urban congestion and vertical expansion
With Tier-1 cities saturating, L&T’s Buildings & Factories division is designing:
- Smart hospitals
- AI-enabled schools
- Urban high-rise clusters
- Green office complexes
- Mixed-use retail & commercial hubs
Renewable energy integration
India is targeting 500 GW of renewables by 2030.
L&T is involved in:
- Solar EPC
- Green hydrogen plants
- Offshore wind groundwork
- Battery storage infra
Resilient public infrastructure
As climate risks rise, infrastructure must withstand extreme conditions.
L&T’s climate resilience models address this reality.
The Regional and Global Context: Why L&T’s Strategy Matters
The Global Construction Tech Boom
Countries worldwide are shifting to:
- Smart infrastructure
- Earthquake-resistant buildings
- Energy-efficient industrial complexes
- Zero-carbon factories
- Digital site management
L&T’s emphasis on digitisation aligns with global best practices.
Middle East: The next frontier
Mega-projects like NEOM, smart airports, futuristic cities —
all demand engineering capability at a scale few companies globally can provide.
L&T is one of them.
Southeast Asia’s rise
Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines — massive manufacturing expansion is underway as global supply chains shift from China.
L&T is well-positioned to tap this shift.
India’s Growth Story and L&T’s Role
India aims to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2029.
Infrastructure will be the backbone of this transformation.
Government initiatives like:
- PM Gati Shakti
- Bharatmala
- Sagarmala
- National Logistics Policy
- National Industrial Corridor Development
- Green Hydrogen Mission
- Smart City 2.0
have created a development pipeline worth $2 trillion+.
L&T is already a major executor in:
- Ports
- Airports
- Highways
- Metro rails
- IT parks
- Data centers
- Water management
The next 10 years will be decisive.
The Human Capital Revolution Inside L&T
One of the most striking aspects of Saha’s speech was his focus on people, not just projects.
Key points include:
Talent mobility
Young engineers are rotating through:
- Construction sites
- Digital command centers
- Overseas projects
- R&D facilities
Technology-first mindset
Employees are being trained for:
- AI-driven workflows
- BIM modeling
- Robotics handling
- AR/VR site simulations
- Cloud engineering
Deep specialization
L&T is pushing engineers to research-level specialization, a model similar to Japanese and Korean engineering giants.
Targeting global leadership
L&T aims to create one of the world’s most advanced infrastructure workforces by 2035.
Sustainability as an Industry Imperative
Global investors now demand:
- ESG reporting
- Carbon reduction
- Low-emission materials
- Green supply chains
L&T is responding through:
1. Zero-emission construction sites
Using solar, hybrid power, low-emission machinery.
2. Material innovation
Eco-friendly concrete, recycled aggregates, low-carbon steel.
3. Green building leadership
L&T is among the largest builders of LEED and IGBC green-rated structures in India.
4. Water-positive and waste-positive models
Smart water use, site recycling, and circular economy practices.
This positions L&T as a global sustainability leader.
Digital Infrastructure: The Core of L&T’s New Identity
Digitisation is transforming:
- Project costing
- Time management
- Workforce coordination
- Vendor integration
- Machinery automation
Key technologies:
1. Digital twins
Infrastructure is simulated virtually before construction begins, reducing risk.
2. AI for predictive maintenance
Machines and assets are monitored in real-time to avoid downtime.
3. Robotics & automation
Brick-laying robots, rebar-tying robots, and automated cranes enhance speed & safety.
4. Drone-powered site intelligence
Aerial mapping, land surveys, and progress tracking are real-time.
5. Cloud-based management
Stakeholders across countries collaborate instantly.
Digitisation is redefining scale, speed, and accuracy.
Future Projects & India’s 2047 Vision
As India eyes Viksit Bharat 2047, infrastructure is central to its ambition.
L&T’s future portfolio will include:
- Green hydrogen manufacturing hubs
- High-speed rail networks
- Ultra-mega data center parks
- Net-zero industrial zones
- Climate-resilient smart cities
- Solar-powered airports
- Defence and aerospace manufacturing ecosystems
- Offshore wind farms
- Semiconductor fabrication facilities
L&T is no longer just building for India.
It is building India’s future identity.
Expert Insight: L&T as India’s Global Engineering Flag-Bearer
Industry analysts suggest that:
- India’s infrastructure spend will grow at 12–15% CAGR for the next decade.
- The biggest demand will come from manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy.
- L&T is in the ideal leadership position.
Many believe L&T could soon become one of the world’s top 5 EPC companies, matching global giants from Japan, South Korea, and Europe.
A Company Aligned With A Nation’s Ambition
Sthaladipti Saha’s message reflects a broader vision:
“India’s growth story will be led by engineering excellence, digital innovation, and sustainable development. L&T intends to be at the forefront of all three.”
As India transforms into a global economic powerhouse, L&T’s evolution represents the country’s own shift—from traditional infrastructure building to futuristic, climate-resilient, technology-intensive engineering.
The next decade will be decisive.
And L&T, with its emphasis on scaling, digitisation, sustainability, and resilience, is not just participating in India’s growth story —
it is helping write it.
(Economy India)
