InfraBlaze is the flagship event of SCMHRD (Infrastructure Club), and could be termed India’s first business school led infrastructure summit. It aims to bring together policy-makers, business and thought leaders, decision-makers and academicians to analyse the hurdles to infrastructure growth, identify the gaps in policies and share implementable solutions to fast-track projects and put the nation on a higher growth trajectory.
The students of SCMHRD conducted the fifth edition of InfraBlaze based on the theme “Reviving Private Participation in the Infrastructure Sector” with issues such as sharing of risks, problems associated with achieving financial closure, project structuring and complexity of patented technologies being some the topics discussed in detail.
Experiential learning
The tone for the event was set by the Director, Dr Pratima Sheorey, who emphasised the importance of experiential learning, especially from opportunities provided to the students through events such as Infrablaze, in addition to drawing insights from real-life situations.
Padmabhushan Dr SB Mujumdar, founder and president, Symbiosis, graced the event with his presence. He highlighted the interdependence between various disciplines needed to bring about a change in society. He also underlined the need to empower people to take charge of their own lives by being proactive so that they become better citizens and community members.
Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University, thanked Kiran Gitte, Commissioner, PMRDA, for his support extended to students of Symbiosis, who were lucky to get learning opportunities by working in various projects undertaken by PMRDA.
Gitte offered insights into the evolution of Pune and shared development plans that PMRDA has for the city in the coming 30 years, as well as the initiatives being undertaken to alleviate the problems plaguing the region. He spoke in detail about the third metro line originating from Hinjewadi and highlighted the importance of public private partnerships (PPP) to realise the ambitious plans for a Pune Metro service.
Choosing project partners
Esther Malini Victor, GM, Contracts, L&T IDPL, spoke on issues related to road and infrastructure development. Ritu Goswami, Deputy GM, Technical, NFL, shared her experience of setting up fertiliser plants. These projects were based on licensed processes and hence choice of partners, especially the contractor, played a significant role. She elaborated on the various attributes on which a contractor is selected.
Rajarama Rao, CEO and President of PMI’s Pune Deccan Chapter, talked about the importance and relevance of procurement with specific reference to infrastructure projects. Makrand Hardas, VP, Academic Interface, PMI’s Pune Deccan Chapter, elaborated on the support provided by PMI Pune to students aspiring for PMI certifications. Ajit Patwardhan, on behalf of World Bank, provided detailed information on why infrastructure projects get stalled in India.