India’s construction sector is embracing digital transformation as builders turn to software, artificial intelligence, and data-driven tools to enhance project management. Traditionally reliant on manual processes, the industry is now leveraging smartphones and cloud-based platforms to streamline operations, track progress, and minimize delays.
In a recent episode of the Analytics Insight Podcast, Iesh Dixit, Co-founder and CEO of PowerPlay, discussed how his company is digitizing construction sites across India. He shared his entrepreneurial journey, the role of AI and predictive analytics, the future of digital twins and IoT, and how technology can help achieve India’s ambitious infrastructure goals.
From Construction Sites to Startup Founder
Dixit explained that his childhood was spent on construction sites, where he worked as a site supervisor. After graduation, he was determined to start a company. By 2020, he focused on building something for the construction industry, recognizing a gap in digitization and data centralization. PowerPlay began as bulky software for contractors’ back offices, but the team soon realized they needed to solve problems for on-site users. Today, PowerPlay has over a million users across platforms, all from construction sites.
Practical Impact of AI in Indian Construction
According to Dixit, the widespread adoption of smartphones has been a game-changer. He emphasized that construction site workers are not primarily focused on digitization—it’s only 10–20% of their job. Therefore, any digital tool must not interfere with their core tasks. PowerPlay focuses on making adoption seamless so that site teams can continue their main work while benefiting from digital insights.
Predictive Analytics for Cost and Delay Reduction
Dixit noted that digitization has broken down silos in construction. Previously, even large companies had projects that rarely communicated with finance except at milestones. Now, predictive analytics can link baseline plans, progress data, material usage, labor, and assets together. This integration helps forecast delays, optimize resource allocation, and improve operational efficiency.
Digital Twins and IoT
IoT is essential for collecting accurate data points, while digital twins allow stakeholders to compare planned progress with actual site conditions without visiting the site. Dixit shared that he previously built an AR/VR company and understands the potential, but technology maturity is still a barrier for widespread adoption, particularly among smaller players. Larger firms can afford digital twin implementations now, and they offer significant benefits.
AI as a Core Enabler for India’s Infrastructure
PowerPlay’s mission is to support the infrastructure India needs over the next decade, including roughly 90 million homes. Dixit believes AI will help bring new talent into the industry and drive innovation. He called for more entrepreneurs to build solutions that address construction’s unique challenges.
For the full conversation, listeners can tune into the Analytics Insight Podcast.
