In Conversation with Kannan Thiruvadi, Regional Executive, South Asia, Bentley Systems

As India accelerates toward its ambitious targets under PM Gati Shakti, the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), and Viksit Bharat 2047, the importance of integrated, digital, and future-ready engineering ecosystems has never been greater. At the centre of this transformation stands Bentley Systems—driving innovation across transportation, water, energy, and urban development through cutting-edge digital engineering and open, connected data environments.

In this exclusive interview, Kannan Thiruvadi, Regional Executive for South Asia at Bentley Systems, shares how emerging technologies—from AI and geospatial intelligence to digital twins and cloud collaboration—are redefining how infrastructure is planned, executed, and operated across India.

Bentley Systems has been closely aligned with India’s major national infrastructure missions. How is Bentley supporting programs like PM Gati Shakti, the National Infrastructure Pipeline, and Viksit Bharat 2047?

Bentley’s commitment to transformative national missions such as PM Gati Shakti, the National Infrastructure Pipeline, and Viksit Bharat 2047 is grounded in our vision of enabling better decision-making through open, federated data environments and model-based workflows. Our technology empowers planners, engineers, and owner-operators to collaborate seamlessly across sectors and agencies. By leveraging platforms like iTwin and Bentley Infrastructure Cloud, we help create the connected digital backbone these initiatives require. This shift from isolated project execution to integrated and scalable infrastructure ecosystems is central to realizing India’s long-term development goals.

Could you highlight some transformative Indian projects where Bentley Systems technologies have helped improve execution, asset management, or lifecycle performance?

India is home to some of the most innovative applications of digital engineering, and we are proud to support many of them. For instance, the Uttar Pradesh Tube Well Project under the Jal Jeevan Mission used a combination of STAAD and OpenFlows to design and implement more than three thousand overhead tanks across widespread rural settlements. Through highly standardized BIM workflows, L&T Construction significantly reduced design time, minimized material waste, and achieved substantial gains in construction efficiency while delivering drinking water to millions of households.

Another impactful example is the 30 million-litres-per-day common effluent treatment plant in Ahmedabad, where MaRS Planning & Engineering Services adopted SYNCHRO to achieve real-time schedule and cost visualization. This approach enabled the team to improve cost accuracy, reduce material usage, and shorten construction duration through well-planned digital rehearsals and coordinated execution. Similarly, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s Phase IV expansion exemplifies how connected digital environments enhance project management. By adopting iTwin, SYNCHRO, PLAXIS, and other Bentley solutions, DMRC connected data, models, and workflows for more than one hundred professionals, improving coordination, strengthening reporting, and laying the groundwork for future operations and maintenance through a unified digital model.

What emerging technologies do you see redefining the infrastructure landscape in South Asia, and how is Bentley Systems preparing for these shifts?

This region is witnessing a rapid acceleration in the adoption of AI-powered analytics, 4D construction modeling, and geospatially integrated workflows. These technologies are no longer peripheral; they are becoming central to how infrastructure is planned, delivered, and operated. At Bentley, we are investing significantly in embedding AI and machine learning into tools that support engineers with predictive insights and real-time risk awareness, rather than replacing their expertise. Our collaboration with Google and our acquisitions of companies such as Cesium and Blyncsy further strengthen our geospatial and mobility intelligence capabilities. The dynamism of South Asia’s growth demands technology that is both sophisticated and adaptive, and this is exactly where we are directing our innovation efforts.

How do Bentley Infrastructure Cloud and the iTwin platform help integrate workflows across the entire lifecycle of a project?

The real value of these platforms lies in their ability to ensure continuity across the lifecycle of an infrastructure asset. Historically, infrastructure development has been constrained by fragmented data and disconnected tools. Bentley Infrastructure Cloud and iTwin overcome these limitations by bringing together design files, construction schedules, geospatial information, and performance data within a single, living digital context. This creates a seamless flow of intelligence from planning to design and from construction to long-term operations. Instead of handing over static documents, project teams can now hand over enriched, contextualized insights that support long-term asset performance.

Digital Twins are becoming essential for asset performance and predictive maintenance. How is Bentley Systems enabling infrastructure owners in India to adopt digital twins at scale?

In India, where the longevity and resilience of infrastructure assets are critical, digital twins offer a powerful shift from reactive maintenance to proactive, data-driven asset management. Bentley’s digital twin platform, iTwin, provides a unified environment that incorporates real-time monitoring, historical data, and predictive modeling. This enables operators to understand not only how their assets are performing at present, but also how they are likely to behave in the future. Whether applied to roads, rail networks, hydropower assets, or water systems, digital twins allow owners to make informed decisions that enhance resilience, sustainability, and financial governance.

With increasing emphasis on cloud collaboration, subsurface modeling, and AI/ML, how is Bentley supporting engineering and construction teams in making faster and more informed decisions?

Decision-making accelerates when teams have clarity, and clarity is achieved through integrated and accessible data. Bentley brings together advanced engineering models, cloud-enabled collaboration environments, subsurface intelligence from Seequent, and AI-driven insights into a cohesive ecosystem. This integration helps teams gain visibility into what lies above and below ground, understand potential risks, and access project data from anywhere in real time. In South Asia’s crowded and often complex project environments, this translates into better risk management, improved safety, and more efficient cost and schedule outcomes.

What role do connected data environments play in improving efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder coordination?

Connected data environments create a shared source of truth for all stakeholders involved in a project. When every participant—from the project owner to the contractor and consultant—operates with synchronized and validated information, the result is less duplication, fewer conflicts, and faster decision cycles. Beyond efficiency, these environments also strengthen accountability and foster transparency, which are essential for modern infrastructure governance. Bentley’s open data ecosystem supports this collaborative approach across a diverse range of project types, enabling both strong top-down coordination and dynamic bottom-up innovation.

Bentley Systems has a longstanding focus on skilling and academic engagement. How does the Bentley Education Program support the development of the next generation of infrastructure professionals in India?

We view the development of the next generation of infrastructure professionals as a core responsibility. Through the Bentley Education Program, we collaborate with leading universities, research institutions, and national skilling organizations to integrate digital engineering into mainstream education. Students and educators are given free access to professional-grade software, hands-on project modules, and mentorship opportunities from industry experts. More recently, we have expanded our engagement to support national initiatives focused on competencies such as AI, digital engineering, and infrastructure analytics. As India advances its infrastructure ambitions, we are committed to helping shape a skilled, future-ready workforce.

As India advances toward a more interconnected, technology-driven infrastructure landscape, Bentley Systems continues to play a pivotal role in shaping this transformation. Through its deep commitment to open digital ecosystems, lifecycle integration, and next-generation technologies, Bentley is helping engineers, planners, and asset owners navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. The insights shared by Kannan Thiruvadi underscore how AI, digital twins, geospatial intelligence, and cloud collaboration are no longer future aspirations but essential enablers of national development. With a strong focus on capacity building and academic engagement, Bentley is not only supporting India’s current infrastructure pipeline but also empowering the workforce that will design and operate the systems of tomorrow. As the nation accelerates toward Viksit Bharat 2047, such digital leadership will be fundamental to achieving resilient, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure at scale.

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