Public - Private Partnership, Project financing in realty sector by Mr. Anirban Chakraborti from Punj Lloyd

In keeping with its legacy of inviting guest lecturers from diverse industries, IIM Lucknow organized the first talk of its kind, on “Project Financing in Realty Sector” by the Guest Speaker, Mr. Anirban Chakraborti, Project Controller, Punj-Lloyd - the 2nd largest EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) player in the country.

Mr. Anirban Chakraborti, alumni of the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad ‐ Class of 2007, has also worked with E&Y Business Advisory Services as a financial consultant.

Mr. Chakraborti elaborated on the key issues and challenges involved in the financing and procurement for these large scale infrastructure projects. He also highlighted the complexity of executing such projects especially with regard to personnel safety on projects undertaken in politically unstable countries, which constitutes a significant portion of the new infrastructure projects in the world.

He evoked greater interest by examining a few recent most examples of important projects such as DIAL, HAIL, Delhi Gurgaon Expressway, Vizhinjam Sea Port, some of which have been the topic of much controversy of late.

Going by the interest expressed by the students, Mr. Chakraborti discussed in depth the two main models in EPC projects, namely the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and the Public Social Private Partnership (PSPP) model. Discussion brought out the need to ensure competition and avoid a private monopoly.

The talk, highly interactive in nature, saw a good participation by the students with keen insights shared by Mr. Chakraborti.