28, Jan 2026
Industry Leaders Call for Sustainable Manufacturing, Design-Led Real Estate and Tech-Driven Logistics in Budget 2026
Neal Thakker, Founder and CEO of Magma Group
“As India’s manufacturing base scales, the next phase has to be about building factories that are not just bigger, but cleaner and more resilient. From our experience on the ground, MSMEs are ready to invest in energy-efficient machinery, better materials, and circular processes if access to capital and policy support is predictable. Budget 2026 is a real opportunity to align sustainability with competitiveness by backing technology upgradation, green materials, and simpler compliance for manufacturers who want to modernise without losing margins.”
“Manufacturing growth today is less about announcing new schemes and more about improving execution at the factory level. MSMEs need easier access to working capital, faster GST processes, and incentives to adopt digital and energy-efficient systems that directly improve throughput. If Budget 2026 strengthens technology upgradation and supports sustainable manufacturing at scale, it will help factories become globally competitive while staying grounded in unit economics.”
Tripat Girdhar, Founder of Arete Design Studio
“The 2026 Union Budget must approach the built environment as a long-term national asset, not a short-term fiscal lever. From a policy perspective, real estate needs stability, tax clarity, and predictable approval frameworks to unlock sustained housing-led growth and investor confidence. For developers, the focus should shift from volume-driven construction to performance-led development, where design efficiency, lifecycle cost, and operational sustainability define value. Architecture must be recognised as core infrastructure that directly impacts energy consumption, public health, and urban resilience. Budget incentives should reward climate-responsive design, passive strategies, and durable materials that reduce long-term maintenance and energy costs for both occupants and asset owners. Affordable housing policy must emphasise liveability, dignity, and long-term performance, not just unit counts. Urban planning, public spaces, and last-mile connectivity deserve stronger fiscal support. A design-led budget will help developers build smarter assets while enabling policymakers to create resilient, efficient, and people-centric cities.”
Ajay Rao, Founder & CEO, Emiza
“The upcoming Union Budget is an opportunity to accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a globally competitive logistics hub. Continued capex under PM Gati Shakti, across roads, rail, ports and integrated logistics parks, will be critical to reducing logistics costs and improving efficiency.
For 3PL players, policy support for technology adoption such as automation, AI and digital supply chains, along with incentives for green warehousing, can significantly enhance productivity and sustainability. Clarity on GST, especially input tax credit on construction, will unlock faster development of Grade A warehouses.
Easier access to long-term financing, focused support for MSMEs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and sustained investment in air cargo and cold-chain infrastructure will help build a resilient, future-ready logistics ecosystem aligned with the National Logistics Policy.”
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- By Neel Achary
28, Jan 2026
85-Year-Old Treated Successfully for Rare Drug-Resistant Knee Implant Infection Amid Rising AMR Concerns
Delhi, Jan 28: As antimicrobial resistance increasingly complicates infection management, orthopaedic specialists are encountering more cases where standard antibiotic treatment alone is insufficient. In one such case, Dr. Simon Thomas, Director and Head of Robotic Joint Replacement & Reconstruction, Max Hospital, successfully treated an 85-year-old patient with a drug-resistant knee implant infection through a carefully planned, staged surgical approach, demonstrating how complex infections can be managed effectively with timely, evidence-based care.
Implant-related infections present challenges distinct from routine infections. In joint replacements, bacteria can adhere to the implant surface and form a biofilm, reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics if treatment is initiated without identifying the infecting organism. The issue has gained wider attention amid growing concerns around antimicrobial resistance, which has also been highlighted at a national level. In a recent episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned against the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, noting that indiscriminate use can weaken their effectiveness over time. When antibiotics are started without culture confirmation, resistant bacteria may persist, making infections harder to eradicate and recovery more prolonged.
In this case, the patient, Mrs Pushpa, had undergone bilateral knee replacement surgery in March 2022 and remained active for several years. In early 2025, she developed persistent pain and swelling in both knees. Further evaluation, including joint fluid analysis and laboratory investigations, identified Achromobacter xylosoxidans, a rare organism known for resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Implant-related infections require specialised management, particularly in elderly patients, where treatment decisions must carefully balance infection control with overall safety.
Explaining the clinical approach, Dr. Simon Thomas, Director and Head of Robotic Joint Replacement & Reconstruction, Max Hospital, said, “Implant-related infections are especially challenging today because antimicrobial resistance limits treatment options. In these cases, starting antibiotics without identifying the organism can allow resistant bacteria to persist. A step-by-step approach, based on accurate diagnosis, targeted antibiotics, and timely surgery, is essential to control the infection while protecting long-term joint function.”
Adding to this, Dr. Divesh Gulati, Associate Director Robotic Joint Replacements & Orthopaedics, Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, said,
“Cases like this underline the importance of restraint and precision in infection management. When antimicrobial resistance is involved, every decision—from investigation to intervention—must be deliberate. A structured, staged strategy not only improves outcomes but also avoids unnecessary procedures, which is especially critical in elderly patients.”
Mrs Pushpa added,
“At my age, the infection was worrying, and I was unsure how well I would recover. The treatment was explained clearly and carried out step by step, which helped reassure me. I am now recovering steadily and able to move better.”
In May 2025, the infected implant from the patient’s left knee was removed, and the joint was thoroughly cleaned. This was followed by high-dose, culture-specific antibiotic therapy. After infection parameters stabilised, a second-stage revision knee replacement was performed using a high-stability implant, with intra-operative checks confirming infection clearance before implantation. During the same hospital stay, the patient’s right knee, which showed raised inflammatory markers, was evaluated cautiously through joint aspiration and laboratory testing, helping rule out active infection and avoid unnecessary surgery. Despite her age, the patient tolerated the procedures well and is currently undergoing supervised rehabilitation to improve mobility and daily function.
The case highlights the growing clinical impact of antimicrobial resistance and the need for early diagnosis, targeted treatment, and appropriate surgical intervention. It demonstrates that with specialised care and careful planning, even complex, drug-resistant implant infections can be managed successfully in elderly patient
28, Jan 2026
Swiggy Now Lets You Order Food, Dineout, and Shop on Instamart Directly Inside ChatGPT and Claude
Swiggy Ltd India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, today announced a major leap in conversational commerce with the launch of Model Context Protocol (MCP) integrations across various business verticals. This rollout, covering Swiggy Food, Instamart, and Dineout, enables users to order groceries, place food orders, and make dining reservations directly through popular AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini and others.
With this launch, Instamart becomes the first quick-commerce platform globally to adopt MCP, allowing users to browse and purchase from an assortment of over 40,000 SKUs using simple, natural language prompts.
The Shift to Agentic AI in Commerce
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open-source framework that connects AI systems and chatbots to live data, sources, and services, allowing them to interact securely with external applications. By exposing a secure set of tools via MCP servers, Swiggy allows AI agents to perform complex tasks that previously required navigating multiple app screens. Users can bypass traditional app interfaces and issue intent-based commands. For example, a user can simply type: “Order ingredients needed for Thai green curry.” or “Order a highly rated biryani I would love.”
The AI agent then handles the entire process: searching for products or restaurants, comparing options, building and updating the cart, applying the best offers or coupons, getting addresses, placing the order, and even tracking delivery. It can also retrieve available booking time slots for a specific restaurant and book a table by creating a cart, applying offers, and confirming the booking in a single prompt.
As users grow more AI-native, increasingly relying on conversational interfaces for planning and decision-making, Swiggy’s integration reflects this shift from static app navigation to dynamic, conversational commerce. This “agentic AI flow” significantly reduces friction by allowing the large language models to handle brand comparisons, quantity selection, and checkout details. The result is a simpler, faster, and more personalized shopping experience that lets users express their intent once and leave it on AI to handle the rest.
Madhusudhan Rao, Chief Technology Officer, Swiggy, said, “India’s convenience needs are deeply contextual, shaped by everyday moments, family routines, personal preferences, and time constraints. Swiggy has always focused on solving for convenience at scale, and conversational commerce takes that a step further by allowing users to simply express what they want, when they want it, whether it is to book a table at their favourite restaurant or order drinks and snacks for a match-viewing party. By bringing MCP to quick commerce, food delivery, and dining out, we’re removing friction from daily decisions and enabling a level of ease, personalisation, and joy that makes on-demand convenience feel effortless.”
Swiggy’s MCP launch builds the foundation for future AI-led experiences, where intelligent agents can act contextually across use cases like meal planning, health goals, dietary preferences, and occasion-based shopping, while remaining privacy-first and secure. In practice, this means users can ask an AI assistant to discover a recipe, identify the right ingredients for four people and add them to their Instamart cart before checking out, build and order a keto or vegan shopping list, compare brands and prices for everyday household staples, or search restaurants and menus, apply relevant offers and book a dine-in table, all through a single, conversational interaction.
How this works
Users can connect the service with AI assistants such as Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT, Cursor, or any agent of their choice in just a few simple steps:
- Navigate to Settings → Connectors → Add Custom Connector/App
- Enter a Name for your connector
- Provide the URL for the service you want to integrate
28, Jan 2026
Kaynes Semicon Secures Fiscal Support Agreement Under India Semiconductor Mission
Kaynes Semicon executes Fiscal Support Agreement and all other Transaction Documents Required to Receive Fiscal Support under India Semiconductor Mission Framework
Bangalore, Jan 28 : Kaynes Semicon Private Limited (“Kaynes Semicon”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kaynes Technology India Limited, today announced the execution of its Fiscal Support Agreement and all other Transaction Documents with the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), Government of India, under the policy framework established to develop semiconductor manufacturing capability in the country.
The signing of the Fiscal Support Agreement and all other Transaction Documents Required marks an important procedural milestone in the implementation of eligible fiscal support as notified under the scheme guidelines, and is a reflection of the Government of India’s sustained commitment to the success of the India Semiconductor Mission. For Kaynes Semicon, this underscores our resolve to operate with the highest levels of governance, transparency and compliance as we scale our semiconductor initiatives. We are deeply committed to playing a leadership role — both in execution and in shaping India’s semiconductor manufacturing capability — in alignment with the country’s long-term strategic objectives.
Shri Amitesh Kumar Sinha, CEO, ISM, added:
“The execution of the Fiscal Support Agreement and other Transaction Documents mark an important milestone for the project and we look forward to continued progress in line with the Mission’s objectives.”
Commenting on the development, Mr. Raghu Panicker, CEO, Kaynes Semicon, said:
“Execution of all these documents along with Fiscal Support Agreement and all other Transaction Documents Required is an important step forward for Kaynes Semicon as we progress on our semiconductor manufacturing journey. We remain grateful to the Government of India, India Semiconductor Mission and Government of Gujarat for their continued support in this journey. We are committed to building a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem from India with a clear focus on operational excellence and robust compliance.”
Mr. Ramesh Kannan, Executive Vice Chairman, Kaynes Technology India Limited, added:
“Semiconductors are foundational to India’s digital and manufacturing ambitions, and this milestone reinforces our strategic commitment to play a meaningful role in this sector through Kaynes Semicon. We appreciate the structured governance framework established by the India Semiconductor Mission and remain focused on long-term value creation for all stakeholders.”
“Kaynes Semicon, an IESA member, has demonstrated how strong industry capability combined with decisive government action can accelerate India’s semiconductor journey. We commend ISM and MeitY for their timely approvals and structured execution framework, which are building confidence across the ecosystem, Commented Ashok Chandak, President IESA.
28, Jan 2026
Zithara.AI Founders Chart Bold AI Roadmap for Budget 2026
Hyderabad, Jan 28: As India gears up for Union Budget 2026, Zithara.AI—a Hyderabad-based pioneer in AI-powered offline retail transformation—outlines key expectations to accelerate deep-tech adoption. Serving 500+ stores like jewellery chains and Bajaj Electronics, the company addresses challenges including data silos, skilling gaps, and infrastructure hurdles in India’s 12M+ offline retail ecosystem.
Varun Kashyap and Sridevi Reddy, Co-Founders, Zithara.AI, said:
To have the government be more all-in and to be more invested both in letter, money and spirit, for that matter, as far as the ecosystem is concerned. The Government set aside a budget of Rs. 10,300+ Crore to boost the India AI mission over 5 years might not be sufficient for scaling up the AI-powered ecosystem. We need to treat AI as a future technology and treat it like Infrastructure to ensure better accessibility to funding.
We would also like to highlight that if the government is more invested in the business, then the ecosystem will be primed to support the startups. If a startup gets the 1st set of funding from the government and they need to scale up, going back to the government is not an option. The startup has to depend on VC’s. Therefore, we would like the Government to set up funds to facilitate the funding for scaling up, particularly for startups with a proven track record for performance.
AI startups, we can allocate only 10 to 15 percent budget allocated for AI R&D, which is not sufficient to scaleup. Moreover, currently, we use the GPUs that are not in India; we’re always living on borrowed technology and have to pay a substantial amount for the same. With the high velocity of AI startups in the country, we need to build that capability inside India – a budget allocation for the same will be a great trigger for future growth. If the government is backing an initiative, it is going to be the nation’s competitive advantage.
The Centre must fully commit to AI startups in Budget 2026 with enhanced funding and security measures to power India’s deep-tech ecosystem.
28, Jan 2026
Christie Showcases Next-Gen Visual Storytelling at ISE 2026 Under the Theme “Passion Meets Possibility”
Barcelona, Spain; Delhi, India, Jan 28: Christie® returns to Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 with a compelling showcase of its latest visual technologies, demonstrating how innovation and engineering excellence come together to enable powerful storytelling and exceptional experiences. Taking place at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via from February 3–6, Christie’s presence at Hall 3, Stand 3K500 will bring people, partners, and technologies together under the theme “Passion meets possibility.”
Christie will present a broad portfolio of cutting-edge solutions through immersive and interactive demonstrations, including 1DLP and 3DLP laser projectors, LED video walls, and advanced image processing technologies, highlighting their versatility across live events, themed entertainment, corporate, and large-scale experiential applications.
“Our Passion meets possibility theme reflects Christie’s relentless pursuit of innovation, engineering excellence, and the strong partnerships we build with our customers,” said Sean James, Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Service, Christie. “It represents who we are and what we enable—unlocking new creative potential and helping our partners deliver unforgettable storytelling experiences. We’re excited to bring this vision to life at ISE 2026.”
Immersive, Interactive Experiences Take Center Stage
A standout attraction at the Christie booth is an interactive mask installation, created in collaboration with Knownsense Studios and Faber. Inspired by Indian, Venetian, and Chinese opera traditions, three sculptural masks are illuminated using the new Christie Korus Series projectors. Visitors can design custom patterns via tablets and see their creations instantly projected onto the masks, delivering a highly personalized and engaging experience.
Complementing this installation, a large elephant projection-mapped sculpture, powered by M 4K25 RGB pure laser projectors and Jazz Series 1DLP projectors, will serve as a striking visual centerpiece.
Global Debut of Korus Series and Advanced LED Solutions
ISE 2026 marks the global launch of Christie’s Korus Series 1DLP projectors, featuring advanced 0.8” HEP DMD technology. Delivering stunning 4K UHD+ resolution, rich color, and high contrast, the Korus Series combines performance with efficiency in a compact, lightweight design—setting new standards for portability in its class.
Christie will also showcase MicroTiles® LED, alongside a technology preview of the upcoming XP Series LED video wall solution. Designed to maintain visual integrity across a wide brightness range, the XP Series delivers precise color reproduction and exceptional grayscale performance. Both solutions are powered by Christie VividLife™, the company’s advanced LED video processing platform that ensures pixel-perfect accuracy, intelligent calibration, and consistent brilliance. A dedicated VividLife demonstration will highlight these capabilities live on the booth.
Adding to the spectacle, a Sapphire® 4K40-RGBH projector will power a high-visibility display above the booth. Featuring Christie’s unique dual-illumination technology, the projector delivers an expanded color spectrum, enabling vivid P3 color reproduction and supporting a wide range of 2D and 3D applications across multiple projection formats.
Strong Partner Ecosystem on Display
Christie continues to collaborate closely with leading technology partners, working alongside AV Stumpfl, Ross Video, and twoloox for media server integrations at ISE 2026. Beyond the Christie booth, attendees can experience Christie solutions across partner stands, including Legrand, Powersoft, Ross Video, ScreenInt, twoloox, and Wave Systems, reinforcing the strength of its global ecosystem.
With multiple product debuts, immersive installations, and collaborative demonstrations, Christie’s ISE 2026 showcase offers a glimpse into the future of visual storytelling—revealing what’s possible when passion, technology, and creativity come together.
28, Jan 2026
Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition for Milano Cortina 2026 Athletes
Bengaluru, Jan 28: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, today unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition, specially designed for athletes competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Nearly 3,800 Olympians and Paralympians from around 90 countries will receive the device, which will support their daily life in the Olympic Village and enable them to capture and share key moments—from competition to celebration.
![[6] Victory Selfie in Paris](https://mediaexpress24.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/6-Victory-Selfie-in-Paris.jpg)
For the first time at a Winter Games, the Victory Selfie will extend to team sports, allowing athletes to document and share podium celebrations together. Additionally, select National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will participate in the Victory Profile, a new storytelling initiative using the Galaxy S25 Ultra to showcase athletes’ personal passions and journeys.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition: Built for Athletes
The Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition combines cutting-edge mobile technology with Olympic-inspired design, offering athletes an intuitive, one-handed experience and AI-powered features, including:
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Dual Rear Camera System: 50MP Wide and 12MP Ultra-Wide lenses for clear photos in any lighting.
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Now Brief: Personalized daily updates, including reminders, calendar events, fitness summaries, and health data insights.
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Photo Assist: AI-powered image enhancements for object editing, angle adjustments, and background improvements.
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On-device Interpreter: Real-time translation without network dependency for seamless communication.
Distinctive Olympic Design
The device features a signature blue back glass, reflecting Milano Cortina 2026 and Samsung’s identity, paired with a gold metal frame symbolizing excellence and podium moments. It comes with a clear magnet case decorated with gold laurel leaves, along with custom Olympic wallpapers and animations inspired by winter sports.
Enhanced Athlete Experience
Athletes can make moments memorable using features such as Dual Recording, capturing both the scene and their reactions simultaneously. The device also preloads a curated suite of apps and services to support their Games experience:
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Galaxy Athlete Card: Connects athletes, fosters community, and allows interactive exchanges.
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100GB 5G eSIM & Samsung Wallet Services: Facilitates connectivity and daily needs, including access to beverages via the Coca-Cola Free Beverage Key.
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Athlete365 & Fitness Applications: Delivers performance, mental health support, and training insights, integrated with Galaxy AI.
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Official Olympic Apps: Includes the Olympic Games™ app, IOC Hotline, and PinQuest to enhance convenience and competition readiness.
Marking the Moment of Victory
The Victory Selfie, first introduced at Paris 2024, will debut at the Winter Games, enabling athletes to capture and share individual and team podium moments with fans and loved ones worldwide.
Celebrating the Athlete Journey
The Victory Profile, developed in collaboration with nine NOCs, showcases curated portraits captured on the Galaxy S25 Ultra to highlight each athlete’s unique personality, preparation, and journey. The first edition features approximately 490 athletes from countries including France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, the U.K., and the U.S.
Supporting a Seamless Games-Time Experience
Samsung will distribute the Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition at Olympic Villages across six cities starting 30 January 2026, supported by Samsung Open Station on-site services for activation, data transfer, and technical assistance.
Stephanie Choi, EVP and Head of Mobile Marketing Center, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, Samsung Electronics, said:
“Athletes are at the heart of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Samsung has supported them for nearly 30 years through meaningful mobile innovation. The Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition will help athletes connect with fans, family, and teammates while celebrating their Games-time achievements.”
Samsung continues to innovate to enhance the Olympic and Paralympic experience, enabling athletes to share their journeys while bringing fans closer to the moments and people that define the Games.
28, Jan 2026
CK Birla Hospital Delhi Saves 2-Year-Old Child with Severe Breathlessness Using Advanced Nasal Endoscopy
Delhi, Jan 28: Doctors at CK Birla Hospital Delhi successfully treated a two-year-old boy who was brought to the emergency department after accidentally inserting a peanut into his nose while playing at home. The child presented with discomfort, continuous crying, and severe breathlessness. Considering the risk of bleeding, infection, and airway obstruction associated with nasal foreign bodies in young children, the case was managed on priority by the hospital’s highly skilled emergency and ENT teams.
The child, a resident of Delhi, visited the hospital with his parents and was rushed immediately to the emergency. Seeing the seriousness of the child’s condition, an advanced nasal endoscopy was performed to accurately locate and safely remove the foreign object. The doctors opted for this minimally invasive procedure, considering the child’s tender age and the potential risks of bleeding, infection, or airway obstruction. The minimally invasive procedure, which lasted for 15 minutes, was completed successfully without any bleeding or complications, providing immediate relief to the child.
Speaking about the case, Dr. Deepti Sinha, Consultant, ENT Department, CK Birla Hospital Delhi, said,
“Foreign body insertion in the nose is common among young children, but it can become serious if not addressed promptly. Parents should avoid attempting removal at home, as this may push the object deeper or cause injury. Early medical intervention ensures safe removal and prevents complications. In this case, nasal endoscopy enabled precise and trauma-free removal, allowing the child to recover quickly.”
Following the procedure, the child was monitored briefly and discharged in stable condition on the same day, bringing immense relief to his parents.
Adding to this, Mr. Amit Sharma, Vice-President, CK Birla Hospital Delhi, stated,
“Child safety extends beyond the home and depends on timely access to appropriate medical care. This incident highlights the importance of parental awareness, trained specialists, and advanced medical technology in managing paediatric emergencies. At CK Birla Hospital Delhi, our teams are equipped to handle such delicate situations with clinical expertise and compassion, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our youngest patients.”
The incident serves as an important reminder for parents and caregivers to seek immediate medical attention in cases involving foreign body insertion in children, as timely treatment can prevent serious complications.
28, Jan 2026
HIL Begins Toll Operations at Kaza Fee Plaza, Marks Largest Single Toll Mandate
Madhya Pradesh, India, Jan 28: Highway Infrastructure Limited (“HIL”), a leading integrated infrastructure development and management company with expertise in Toll Operations, EPC Infrastructure, and Real Estate, has commenced toll operations at Kaza Fee Plaza on the Chilakaluripet–Vijayawada section of NH-16 in Andhra Pradesh, effective 23 January 2026.
The project spans 82.5 km (from 355.0 Km to 437.5 Km) along NH‑16, a key north–south corridor connecting major economic hubs across southern and eastern India. Notably, Kaza Toll Plaza records the highest toll collection among public-funded plazas in South India (Source: IHMCL).
First-of-Its-Scale Toll Operations Contract
This marks HIL’s first toll operations contract of this scale, with a contract value of ₹328.77 crore, awarded by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It also represents the company’s largest single toll mandate to date, reflecting a significant expansion of its toll operations vertical. HIL will operate the plaza for a one-year period, translating this order win into immediate operational activity and revenue generation.
The project aligns with HIL’s asset-light toll operations model, enabling:
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Efficient scaling with limited capital commitment
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Strong operating cash-flow visibility
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Rapid conversion of order book into executed revenues
Strengthening Presence on a Strategic Corridor
NH‑16 is among India’s busiest highway corridors and a vital part of the national logistics and passenger transport network. HIL’s entry into this stretch:
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Expands its pan-India toll operations footprint
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Strengthens long-term engagement with NHAI
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Reinforces its credentials as a scalable partner for large national projects
Robust Order Book Growth
With the addition of Kaza Fee Plaza and other recent wins, HIL’s consolidated order book now stands at ₹1,209 crore, reflecting:
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EPC Order Book: Up 52% since March 2025, from ₹417 crore to ₹633 crore
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Tollways Collection Order Book: Up ~404% since March 2025, from ₹114 crore to ₹575 crore
This growth enhances medium-term revenue visibility and demonstrates HIL’s ability to scale efficiently across segments.
Outlook
HIL continues to strengthen its resilient and scalable infrastructure delivery platform, leveraging a growing order pipeline and balanced EPC and toll operations to capitalize on India’s ongoing highway development initiatives.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Arun Kumar Jain, Managing Director, Highway Infrastructure Limited said:
“The commencement of toll operations at Kaza Fee Plaza marks our first-ever contract of this scale and represents a significant milestone in HIL’s growth journey. This project underscores NHAI’s confidence in our operational capabilities and strengthens our presence on a strategically important national corridor in Andhra Pradesh. With a rapidly expanding order book and an asset-light execution model, we remain focused on disciplined operations, technology-driven efficiency, and sustainable long-term value creation for our investors.”
28, Jan 2026
India Emerges as Key Investment Hub Amid Global Real Estate Capital Rebound
Global Real Estate Capital Rebounds in 2026 Global R; India Strengthens Position as a Strategic Investment Market: Knight Frank Active Capital 2026
Mumbai, Jan 28: Global institutional investors are set to deploy USD 144 billion into commercial real estate in 2026, marking a clear rebound in investment activity, according to Knight Frank’s latest Active Capital Survey. The research captures the views of 119 of the world’s largest real estate investors, representing more than USD 1.4 trillion in assets under management, and signals renewed confidence underpinned by easing interest rates, improving occupier demand and long-term demographic trends.
The survey reveals that 87% of investors (by AUM) intend to increase direct commercial real estate investment in 2026, while 62% expect to be net buyers, highlighting strong acquisition appetite globally. Against this backdrop, India is emerging as an increasingly relevant destination for global capital seeking scale, income visibility and long-term growth. The resurgence of investor interest is being led globally by a renewed focus on Core and Core-plus strategies, with USD37 billion of planned global investment targeting Core assets.
Shishir Baijal, International Partners, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India,
“Global capital is returning, but it is far more disciplined than in previous cycles, India is increasingly being viewed as a defensive growth market, supported by strong occupier demand, improving asset quality and long-term structural drivers. This shift closely aligns with India’s evolving commercial real estate market, particularly in Grade A office assets across major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai. Structured partnerships and programmatic platforms are becoming the preferred route to scale and risk management”.
Harry Chaplin-Rogers, Director, International Capital, Knight Frank India,
“Global capital is clearly returning, but with far greater discipline than in previous cycles. India is increasingly being viewed as a core, long-term market, underpinned by resilient occupier demand, a rapidly improving stock of institutional-grade assets, and scalable partnership structures that allow global investors to manage complexity while achieving sustained growth.”
While the UK and Germany currently top global capital destination rankings, India is steadily transitioning from an emerging allocation to a strategic component of Asia-Pacific real estate portfolios, particularly for investors focused on long-term growth and diversification.
Knight Frank’s Active Capital Programme delivers global insights into capital flows, investor sentiment and real estate strategies, enabling clients to navigate market cycles with clarity and confidence.
Offices Reclaim Leadership, Supported by Occupier Confidence
Globally, offices have re-emerged as the most targeted asset class, with 69% of investors planning allocations in 2026. However, investors are highly selective, favouring well-located, ESG-compliant assets that meet modern workplace requirements, while avoiding assets facing long-term obsolescence. This trend mirrors India’s experience, where leasing momentum continues to be driven by Global Capability Centres (GCCs), technology firms and domestic corporates, collectively accounting for approximately 75%, thereby reinforcing confidence in high-quality office stock.
Living, Logistics and Retail Reinforce India’s Long-Term Appeal
Beyond offices, living sectors are the second most targeted globally, with 65% of investors planning allocations, attracted by demographic tailwinds and defensive income characteristics. While institutional living segments such as rental housing and student accommodation remain nascent in India, they represent a significant medium- to long-term opportunity given rapid urbanisation and a young population profile.
Industrial and logistics assets remain a high-conviction sector, targeted by 63% of investors globally, supported by supply-chain reconfiguration, e-commerce growth and infrastructure investment, trends that are particularly pronounced in India.
Retail has also returned to investor focus globally, with 56% of investors planning allocations, reflecting stabilisation and opportunities in dominant, experience-led Shopping Centres.
Partnerships and Joint Ventures Central to India Strategy
The survey highlights a growing preference for collaboration, with 68% of investors, collectively representing USD94 billion of planned investment, willing to consider joint ventures or capital partnerships in 2026. This approach is especially relevant in India, where local expertise, platform scale and execution capability are critical to investment success.
Operational Real Estate Gains Momentum
Operational real estate sectors, including data centres, infrastructure and healthcare, are gaining traction globally as investors seek exposure to long-term structural tailwinds. In India, rising digital adoption, expanding healthcare needs and sustained public infrastructure investment are translating into growing interest across these segments.
Nick Braybrook, Partner and Global Head of Capital Markets, said:
“This is empirical evidence of a turnaround in the global real estate investment market. The nuances within the findings are fascinating – after several torrid years for the global office market, the undeniable return of the occupiers has finally spurred a return of the investors, and the sector has gone from almost last place to now first. The return of core investors is the missing piece of the jigsaw, being the pricing that the rest of the market builds from. Capital remains selective, concentrating in locations where confidence in values, liquidity and exit prospects are highest, but in those markets the growing imbalance between buyers and net sellers points to clear competitive tension. The wide spread of target returns reported in the survey also bodes well for overall global turnover levels going forward.”
Victoria Ormond, CFA, Partner and Head of Capital Markets Insight at Knight Frank said.
“Interest rates are the single most influential factor shaping real estate investment decisions, followed by occupier demand and bond yields. In the year ahead, investors are targeting early-cycle opportunities alongside longer-term thematics, set against a backdrop of global uncertainty. Many are looking beyond short-term volatility to pursue a mix of repriced assets and sectors set to benefit from long-term structural tailwinds. Joint ventures and capital partnerships are emerging as critical tools for accessing scale, managing complexity and entering new geographies and sectors. These structures are particularly relevant for operational segments such as infrastructure, data centres, senior living and single-family rental – areas driven by demographic and technological shifts but requiring specialist expertise. Beyond enabling access, partnerships may also help resolve capital misallocations arising from the downturn. While investors are increasingly prepared to look through geopolitical noise, rigorous sensitivity analysis and scenario planning remain essential to mitigate risk and build resilience.”
