Rail Analysis: Could you provide an overview of Bentley Systems’ mission and its role in advancing infrastructure engineering globally?
Shri Kaushik Chakraborty: Bentley Systems is fully committed to the advancement of infrastructure engineering. What sets us apart is our unwavering focus; 100% of our efforts and innovation are directed toward this field. Our mission is rooted in enabling professionals to design, build, and operate infrastructure that not only meets modern demands but also addresses long-term resilience. Globally, we support users across the entire asset from initial planning and conceptual design to construction and, finally, long-term operations and maintenance.
Digital twin technology is at the heart of our platform; it connects real-world data with engineering models, providing a comprehensive virtual replica of assets. By integrating data from sources like photogrammetry, LiDAR, IoT sensors, and even subsurface scans, Bentley’s platform helps users make informed, data-driven decisions at every phase. Our aim is to improve the quality of life for citizens worldwide by supporting the creation of robust and sustainable infrastructure.
Rail Analysis: Bentley has introduced OpenSite+, an AI-powered application for civil site design. How does this tool enhance productivity and accuracy in engineering projects?
Shri Kaushik Chakraborty: OpenSite+ represents our continued commitment to innovation and automation in infrastructure design. Engineers often spend a significant portion of their time up to 40% – on manual tasks like drawing production. OpenSite+ directly addresses this challenge. It automates routine design steps, integrates AI co-pilot tools, and reduces human error. For example, annotations and compliance checks are auto-generated.
One of the most compelling features is its AI- based layout optimisation, which suggests intelligent placements for roads, buildings, and utilities. Unlike other platforms, we do not use customer data to train our AI models. Instead, clients retain full control, training AI co-pilots using their internal standards and historical data. This ensures data privacy while boosting design speed and consistency, making OpenSite+ particularly valuable in high-density urban rail projects.
Rail Analysis: The acquisition of Cesium and the partnership have been significant moves. How do these collaborations enhance Bentley’s digital twin capabilities?
Shri Kaushik Chakraborty: Our acquisition of Cesium has opened exciting new possibilities in 3D geospatial infrastructure design. Cesium allows us to offer extremely detailed, planet-scale visualisations of infrastructure assets. This includes everything from underground tunnels and track beds to above ground structures and environmental surroundings. The integration of Cesium into Bentley’s iTwin platform enhances how digital twins are visualised and interacted with right down to the millimetre.
Further, our collaboration with Google has taken this capability even further. By bringing Google’s high-quality geospatial data into our platform, we enable asset owners and engineers to access comprehensive context for every project. We’re also working with Google to expand AI-based analytics, starting with road and highway maintenance, with plans to extend to rail infrastructure in the near future.
Rail Analysis: Digital twins are transforming infrastructure planning. How is Bentley using them in metro system design, tunnelling, or station integration?
Shri Kaushik Chakraborty: Digital twins are reshaping how cities approach metro and rail system planning. These models allow integration of geotechnical data, construction workflows, and operational analytics in a single environment. They support everything from tunnelling alignment, station placement, and track layout to post-construction monitoring. Bentley’s digital twin platform includes tools that not only visualise but also simulate real-world conditions allowing agencies to predict wear, structural stress, and maintenance schedules.
In metros like those in Mumbai and Delhi, this level of predictive insight is crucial for ensuring passenger safety and optimising costs over the asset lifecycle. Our tools also integrate with sensor-based inputs, enabling real-time updates and system diagnostics that are vital for high-capacity metro operations.
Rail Analysis: Rail and metro projects require immense coordination between civil, structural and systems engineering. How does Bentley’s integrated software suite facilitate this?
Shri Kaushik Chakraborty: Rail and metro projects demand coordination across civil, structural, electrical, and signalling disciplines. Bentley’s integrated suite breaks down data silos by supporting open standards and seamless collaboration. For instance, our solutions allow structural and MEP engineers to work on shared models alongside civil designers. This minimises clashes, accelerates decision-making, and ensures that each stakeholder is always working with up-to-date information. Especially in projects involving viaducts or underground stations, coordination between subsurface and surface elements becomes mission critical. Bentley’s platform ensures these complexities are managed smoothly, contributing to projects that are delivered on time, on budget, and with long-term resilience in mind.
Rail Analysis: India is undergoing significant infrastructure transformation. How is Bentley positioning itself to support major Indian projects in railways, metros, and urban Development?
Shri Kaushik Chakraborty: India is undergoing a historic transformation in infrastructure, and Bentley is proud to be a long-term partner in this journey. We’ve supported marquee projects like DFCCIL, Mumbai Metro, Nagpur Metro, and Pune Metro. Our Indian presence spans over two decades, with dedicated teams across technical support, development, and business operations. We’re deeply embedded in the engineering ecosystem and have built strong relationships with public and private sector stakeholders. As India ramps up its focus on smart cities, sustainable mobility, and high-speed rail, we are committed to bringing world-class digital engineering solutions that accelerate project delivery and ensure quality outcomes.
Rail Analysis: Bentley’s recent ‘Illuminate 2025′ event in Mumbai was a remarkable gathering of industry experts and innovators. Could you share some of the key outcomes and how the event’s discussions and initiatives are expected to shape the future of infrastructure and engineering?
Shri Kaushik Chakraborty: Illuminate 2025 in Mumbai was a defining moment for us. Unlike traditional corporate-led conferences, over 70% of the content at Illuminate came directly from our end-users. These presentations showcased real-world applications of Bentley technologies across various sectors, with a particular emphasis on transportation and rail infrastructure. We have active participation from users from multiple industries like Rail, Highways, Energy and Water and these users actively shared how they’ve leveraged our applications to streamline project workflows, and boost efficiency.
Beyond presentations, the event provided a platform for networking and cross-city collaboration, bringing together users from Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhopal, and more. It served not just as a showcase of success stories but also as a knowledge-sharing forum that is accelerating digital transformation across India’s infrastructure landscape.
Rail Analysis: Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Shri Kaushik Chakraborty: Our message to India’s rail and metro community is simple: we are here as a partner, not just a technology provider. We recognise the complexity and ambition of your projects and aim to empower you with tools that make a tangible difference. Our platforms are open, scalable, and designed for the realities of infrastructure development in India, whether it’s a metro in Bhopal or a freight corridor across states. We are excited about what the future holds and look forward to working together to build transport systems that are resilient, sustainable, and ready for generations to come.
Images Credit: Bentley
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