The common perspective on infrastructure focuses on capital spending and engineering capabilities. However, significant delays in project completion often stem from disputes that tie up funds, hinder progress, and damage investor trust. Securing financing for new projects is as vital as enhancing dispute resolution as India undertakes a massive infrastructure push. In a conversation with ET Digital, Ashwani Awasthi, MD (South Asia), RICS, discusses why mediation is emerging as a strategic tool for the sector, how the Mediation Act, 2023 is reshaping the landscape, and why professional dispute resolution could prove to be a key enabler of India's infrastructure ambitions. Edited excerpts.
Economic Times (ET): Construction and infrastructure disputes in India often lock up capital for years in arbitration and litigation. How large is this problem in terms of stalled projects and blocked value, and what is it costing the sector?
