In this exclusive interview, the DailyCADCAM Editor sits down with Kamalakannan Thiruvadi, Regional Executive for South Asia at Bentley Systems, a global leader in infrastructure engineering software. Drawing on his deep expertise and firsthand experience with India’s fast-evolving infrastructure sector, Kamalakannan offers valuable insights into the ongoing digital transformation, Bentley’s pivotal role in driving sustainable development, the hurdles in technology adoption, and how cutting-edge innovations like Digital Twins are redefining the future of infrastructure across India.
How do you view the India infrastructure market today, given its projected growth to USD 322.27 billion by 2029?
The Indian infrastructure market is currently witnessing an unprecedented surge in growth, with projections indicating a market size of USD 322.27 billion by 2029 by various research firms. This growth trajectory is being significantly influenced by robust government initiatives and sustained investments in infrastructure projects. The strategic vision laid out under programs like Vision 2047, National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), PM Gati Shakti, Bharatmala Pariyojana, National Highway Development Programme, metro rail projects, and the Jal Jeevan and Smart Grid missions illustrates the government’s commitment to long-term infrastructure development. From Bentley Systems’ perspective, India represents a region of strategic importance—not only due to the vast scale and scope of its development projects but also because of the ecosystem of resources available within the country. Over the past decade, the Indian government’s continued focus on ensuring basic utilities, such as 24/7 water supply to every household, has propelled the infrastructure sector forward. Bentley is proud to be a part of this journey, leveraging its technological capabilities to support India’s ambitious infrastructure vision.
What are Bentley’s views on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in infrastructure?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize infrastructure management, and Bentley Systems is at the forefront of this transformation. AI is no longer a futuristic concept but an immediate necessity to enhance productivity, accuracy, and cost-efficiency. A notable example is the launch of OpenSite+, the industry’s first AI-powered civil engineering application tailored for site design and land development. This tool combines smart site objects, generative design, and optimization features to reduce manual workload and enable faster project delivery without compromising on quality. Furthermore, Bentley’s acquisition of Blyncsy, a software solution utilizing AI and computer vision, has significantly enhanced capabilities in road asset management. Blyncsy analyzes crowdsourced imagery to detect over 50 types of roadway issues, such as potholes, faded lines, and vegetation overgrowth, thereby replacing traditional manual inspection methods. AI integration across Bentley’s platform—including its Asset Analytics portfolio—is helping public agencies and private firms improve safety, reduce costs, and streamline operations. As India embraces AI across various sectors, Bentley remains committed to embedding intelligent automation in its products to meet evolving customer needs.
What are Bentley’s strategic goals for the Indian market, and how do products like RAM, OpenBridge, and AssetWise contribute to India’s infrastructure growth?
Bentley’s strategic objectives for the Indian market are closely aligned with the country’s developmental goals. As infrastructure projects advance through various stages—from Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to design, construction, and operation—Bentley’s suite of products plays a pivotal role at each juncture. For instance, RAM and OpenBridge are extensively used in the design and analysis phases of infrastructure projects, ensuring structural integrity and optimized design. AssetWise, on the other hand, supports operations and maintenance, enhancing asset performance and lifecycle management. Our solutions are increasingly being adopted by transportation authorities and engineering firms, with notable deployments in projects like the Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway by L&T and the Highway Information Modeling Platform (HIMP) initiative by NHAI. These tools, especially when powered by iTwin technologies, facilitate real-time data integration, better stakeholder engagement, and improved operational efficiency. Case studies presented during Bentley Illuminate 2025 Mumbai event highlight how Bentley’s digital solutions are enabling India’s infrastructure transformation across highways, water systems, and urban infrastructure.
What is the current level of digitalization across infrastructure projects in India, and which sectors show higher digital maturity?
India is witnessing a positive shift in the adoption of digital technologies across its infrastructure landscape. Digitalization is becoming increasingly integral throughout the project lifecycle—from planning and design to construction and asset management. A compelling example is the adoption of digital twin technology by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), as shared by Col. A. K. Janbaz during a Bentley Illuminate conference. This integrated approach ensures seamless data flow between different project phases, thereby enhancing efficiency, reducing delays, and optimizing resource allocation. Infrastructure sectors such as transportation, water, metro rail, and airports are leading in digital maturity. The Nagpur Metro project, for instance, exemplifies the end-to-end implementation of digital solutions. Moreover, urban local bodies (ULBs) such as Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran are adopting smart technologies for water and wastewater management under the AMRUT and Jal Jeevan Mission schemes. The renewable energy sector, especially wind and solar, is also emerging as a promising domain for digital twin applications, signaling a broader shift toward data-driven infrastructure development in India.
Bentley is known for its strong presence among large consultants. How is Bentley supporting smaller consultants and users in India?
While Bentley has a strong association with major engineering firms and government entities, it equally values its engagement with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and independent consultants. During Bentley Illuminate events in 2024 and 2025, we have showcased success stories from smaller firms such as SecMec Consultants, who have effectively utilized Bentley software for a variety of structural engineering tasks, including cement industry applications and ancillary structures. Additionally, firms like Techhub Engineering & Advisory, though not multinational corporations, have demonstrated excellence in road consultancy using Bentley tools. Our outreach extends to Tier II and Tier III cities, where numerous small firms and individual consultants rely on our solutions like STAAD and OpenBuildings. We are committed to democratizing access to advanced engineering tools and continue to engage with SMEs to ensure they receive the support and training required to execute projects effectively.
What are the key challenges Bentley faces in the Indian infrastructure sector, and how are you addressing adoption barriers like cost concerns and workflow resistance?
One of the primary challenges is the perception of technology as a cost rather than an investment. To address this, Bentley’s mission is to showcase the significant value that technology can contribute to infrastructure development.
We also face resistance from contractors and a shortage of skilled professionals. To mitigate these, we offer most of our tools through annual subscription models, reducing initial acquisition costs. These subscriptions are scalable to accommodate different project sizes and stages.
We are also deeply engaged in education. Through the Bentley Academic Program, we collaborate with universities and colleges to train the next generation of engineers and professionals. Additionally, we conduct proof-of-concept projects to help hesitant companies see the ROI from digital solutions.
In metro rail projects across cities, despite using similar software, structural designs such as pillar dimensions vary. What factors influence these differences?
The variation in design elements—such as the size of metro pillars across cities like Bangalore and Pune—is primarily influenced by site-specific factors and engineering assessments carried out during the early stages of project development. These decisions are typically made by the consulting engineers responsible for conducting detailed geotechnical investigations and feasibility studies. Factors such as soil condition, seismic activity, existing infrastructure, and intended load requirements all contribute to determining the optimal structural design. Bentley provides the advanced engineering tools necessary for these assessments, but the final decisions rest with the consultants based on technical evaluations and environmental considerations. Additionally, project budgets, material availability, and long-term maintenance considerations also play a role. The overarching goal remains to ensure safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, and the use of Bentley’s software facilitates informed decision-making through data integration and modeling.
How has Bentley’s experience been with the Indian infrastructure market over the past five years?
The market is definitely growing. While road infrastructure saw early adoption, we now see expansion in metro rail, renewable energy, and water projects (like AMRUT 2.0).
India is also embracing digital technologies rapidly. From small municipalities to large urban bodies, everyone is exploring how tech can improve service delivery. We’ve seen growing engagement from government officials, engineers, and consultants who are now proactively seeking tech-based solutions.
Can you give some real-world examples where Bentley’s digital technologies helped overcome infrastructure challenges?
A great example is the Orange City Water (OCW) Project in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This initiative provides continuous 24×7 pressurized water supply, covering treatment, distribution, and billing. We implemented Digital Twin technology, which integrates various data sources and tools to provide holistic insights. This is critical because isolated tools can’t deliver full value. Our platform integrates everything—leading to faster decisions, better outcomes, and improved efficiency.
Are there any specific infrastructure projects in India that are particularly important for Bentley?
Every project is important, but the Ayodhya Water Supply Project stands out. It aims to provide 24×7 pressurized water supply, transitioning from gravity-based systems. This has led to significant savings in power and reduced carbon emissions.
These kinds of projects prove how technology can enhance service delivery and sustainability. They are benchmarks for what’s possible across India.
Does Bentley offer any monitoring products that can help prevent infrastructure accidents due to natural disasters?
While we don’t have real-time monitoring tools at the moment, we do offer advanced geotechnical and subsurface modeling through Seequent, Bentley’s subsurface company, which can help predict risks such as landslides.
Technology exists today that, if used properly, can help avoid many of these disasters. While not everything is under our control, Bentley provides tools to help make informed, preventative decisions.
How is Bentley addressing the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) sector, especially in plants, piping, and boilers?
The EPC sector is very important to Bentley. Our products like STAAD and AutoPIPE are widely used in structural and pipe stress analysis. AutoPIPE integrates seamlessly with Bentley SACS, which is popular for offshore structural analysis. We are also focusing on an integrated platform called PlantSight, which covers the entire plant lifecycle. This includes design, construction, operations, and maintenance, offering a holistic solution for the plant and process industries.
While many vendors talk about BIM, what is Bentley’s take—especially regarding digital twins?
BIM (Building Information Modeling) is an integral part of the evolution of digital technology. We’ve moved from drawing boards to CAD to Digital Twin platforms, and BIM is a critical subset of this journey.
At Bentley, BIM and Digital Twin are not separate concepts—they go hand-in-hand. You can’t have a functional digital twin without proper BIM foundations. So, for us, it’s not just about modeling—it’s about creating a living, data-rich representation of the infrastructure asset.
What partnerships does Bentley have with academic institutions to support engineering education and skill development?
Bentley Systems is deeply invested in academic engagement and capacity building through its comprehensive Bentley Academic Program. The initiative encompasses several strategic dimensions.
Firstly, Bentley offers free access to over 60 software solutions to all AICTE-approved colleges and universities, enabling students and faculty to gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools.
Secondly, the company conducts regular training-of-trainers programs and develops curriculum-integrated courseware through its Learning Technology Group, which is largely based in Kolkata. This content is widely accessible through Bentley’s official YouTube channels and other learning platforms.
In addition to software access and content creation, Bentley is actively engaged in collaborative academic projects. For instance, the company recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NICMAR to establish the Centre for Digital Construction (C4DC), aimed at enhancing student competencies in digital construction methodologies. Similarly, Bentley has partnered with IIT Madras to set up a Digital Twin Lab, reinforcing the importance of integrated lifecycle management in engineering education.
Furthermore, Bentley supports “finishing school” initiatives in collaboration with engineering consultants. In one notable case, Bentley facilitated pre-joining training for graduate engineering trainees from 70 colleges hired by a leading consultancy firm. By equipping these students with certifications and software skills prior to onboarding, Bentley helped the firm significantly reduce bench time and enhance project readiness. These academic programs are part of Bentley’s long-term vision to cultivate a new generation of engineers who are well-versed in digital tools and prepared to contribute meaningfully to India’s infrastructure growth.
Do you have a message for our readers and stakeholders in the Indian infrastructure sector?
Absolutely. Bentley is fully committed to the Indian infrastructure market. We work closely with owner-operators, consultants, contractors, project management consultants, general consultants, and the academic community.
Many of our products are developed or have significant contributions from India, making “Make in India” a reality for Bentley. Our focus is solely on infrastructure. We provide end-to-end solutions—from planning and design to operation and maintenance—integrating the latest trends in AI, automation, and digital twins.
DailyCADCAM thanks Kamalakannan Thiruvadi for sharing his valuable time and deep insights. His perspective on the digital evolution of India’s infrastructure sector, along with Bentley Systems’ commitment to empowering stakeholders through technology, training, and collaboration, offers a compelling vision for the future. We wish him and Bentley continued success in driving innovation and shaping resilient, smart infrastructure across the region.
Thank you,
Sachin R Nalawade, Editor & Founder, DailyCADCAM
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