2. Infrastructure Overview: Current State of Physical Infrastructure in India
India has made significant progress in developing its physical infrastructure, crucial for supporting the operations of Global Capability Centres. The country's transportation networks, power supply, and office spaces have seen substantial improvements, contributing to a favourable business environment.
Major Indian cities offer world-class office spaces, often located in dedicated business districts and IT parks. According to JLL India, the total stock of Grade A office space in major cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune stood at approximately 600 million square feet as of 2023. These cities provide a conducive environment for GCCs, with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technological connectivity, and ample space for expansion.
India boasts an extensive network of international and domestic airports, with major hubs in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. According to the Airports Authority of India, as of 2023, India has 137 operational airports, including 34 international airports , facilitating easy global connectivity. The presence of major seaports in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi plays a crucial role in international trade and logistics, ensuring the smooth flow of goods and services. India’s coastline is home to 12 major and 200 non-major ports, handling 95% of the country's trading by volume.
Furthermore, India’s road and rail networks connect urban and rural areas, enhancing accessibility and mobility. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) manages over 140,000 km of national highways, which constitute about 2% of the total road network but carry 40% of the total traffic. The Indian Railways network, one of the largest in the world, spans over 68,000 km, carrying 8.1 billion passengers and 1.2 billion tons of freight annually.
