India needs digital twin policy to drive 33% increase in infra investment: Report

A recent study by GeoSpatial World, a company specializing in space, geospatial, and digital twin technologies, underscores the critical need for a National Digital Twin Policy in India. This policy aims to bolster ongoing deep-tech strategies like space exploration, geospatial mapping, artificial intelligence, and the Deep Sea Mission, aligning them with India’s ambitious Vision 2047 goals. It seeks to enhance productivity and fortify the nation’s infrastructure against future challenges.

As India strives to achieve a $40 trillion economy by 2047, advanced technologies are increasingly pivotal in managing and expanding infrastructure projects. The study emphasizes that a National Digital Twin Policy could provide a comprehensive framework for integrating cutting-edge technologies across the entire lifecycle of Indian infrastructure. This includes real-time digital modeling of physical assets and systems using tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Building Information Modeling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Sanjay Kumar, CEO of Geospatial World, highlights, “Amidst growing infrastructure demands, a National Digital Twin Policy isn’t just visionary but imperative. Our findings indicate that Digital Twin technology can significantly enhance planning, execution, and maintenance of infrastructure projects, aligning with the vision of making India a leader in global infrastructure innovation through initiatives like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).”

Kamal Kishore, Assistant Secretary General at the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, underscores the importance of resilient infrastructure for sustained economic growth and human development. He emphasizes the role of technologies like geospatial mapping, BIM, and Digital Twin in ensuring infrastructure resilience through integrated planning, construction, operation, and maintenance phases.

The report stresses the potential of Digital Twins to provide actionable insights for early warnings, swift responses, enhanced public safety, and reduced infrastructure damage, ensuring long-term sustainability. With India’s infrastructure market valued at Rs 15.47 lakh crore in 2023 and substantial investments planned, the National Digital Twin Policy could play a pivotal role in addressing current gaps and future challenges.

Amit Ghosh, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Social Justice, advocates for a shift from traditional, fragmented infrastructure planning to a cohesive, long-term integrated strategy. He highlights initiatives like the Prime Minister’s GatiShakti National Master Plan and the National Infrastructure Pipeline aimed at maximizing capital investments and fostering efficient connectivity across India.

Ananya Narain, VP Consulting, emphasizes that the Digital Twin Policy will tackle complex regulatory frameworks, land acquisition issues, and technology integration challenges. It aims to harness data from innovative sensors and initiatives in space, geospatial, AI, deep-sea exploration, and drones, leveraging them to enhance the resilience and efficiency of Indian infrastructure.

Overall, the National Digital Twin Policy promises to revolutionize infrastructure management in India, offering a transformative approach to address current complexities and future demands effectively.

Advantages of National Digital Twin Policy

• Planning and Design Phase: Digital Twin technologies offer various benefits throughout the infrastructure lifecycle. During the planning and design stages, these advancements enable precise site surveys and the creation of detailed 3D models. For instance, advanced tools like UAV-based LIDAR and radar interferometry can produce high-resolution data, enhancing site selection and management. This can potentially lead to a 30% improvement in energy efficiency and a 20% reduction in project reworks.
• Construction Phase: In the construction phase, Digital Twin technologies streamline workflows, boosting production output by 10% and reducing asset management downtime by 30%. This efficiency extends into the operations and maintenance phases, where Digital Twins support ongoing asset management and risk mitigation through web-based GIS systems and advanced sensors.
• Sustainability Benefits: Sustainability is a key advantage of the National Digital Twin Policy. By simulating various scenarios, Digital Twins help improve energy efficiency, minimize waste, and promote environmentally friendly designs. For example, by modeling energy consumption patterns, these technologies identify opportunities to reduce carbon footprints in infrastructure projects, aligning with the environmental goals of Vision 2047.
• Economic Efficiency: Another critical benefit of the Digital Twin Policy is economic efficiency. The technology enables predictive analytics for early risk detection, optimizes resource utilization, and reduces project costs. Performing scenario simulations and risk assessments enhances decision-making and streamlines project execution effectively.
• Role of Geospatial Technologies: The study underscores the pivotal role of geospatial technologies in the success of the National Digital Twin Policy. The urban development geospatial market is projected to reach Rs 3,445 crore by 2025, highlighting GIS's growing significance in infrastructure planning. Advanced sensors such as LiDAR and GPR are essential for terrain mapping and asset management, with the transport infrastructure sector’s geospatial market expected to grow to Rs 2,470 crore by 2025.
• Strategic Goals of the Policy: The National Digital Twin Policy aims to leverage advanced applications of Digital Twin technology, including predictive analysis, lifecycle integration, and AI-driven performance optimization. The policy also seeks to establish industry-wide standards, foster innovation, and promote collaboration across the Digital Twin sector.