Q. Captech eFORCE began as a labour marketplace in 2020 and has now evolved into a platform that manages several aspects of construction operations. What prompted this shift, and what gaps in the industry did you identify along the way?
Asutosh Katyal: We started Captech eFORCE in 2020 to address workforce mobilisation challenges in construction. Over time, we realised that the industry also faced fragmented communication, administrative inefficiencies and limited operational visibility. This prompted us to evolve into a broader platform that addresses these challenges. Our vision is to build technology tailored to India's construction ecosystem, making operations more organised, efficient and transparent.
Q. You claim that Captech eFORCE can deploy construction labour five times faster than traditional methods and increase deployment capacity eightfold. What does this improvement look like on the ground, and how do you measure these outcomes?
Asutosh Katyal: These improvements reflect our focus on reducing manual coordination and enabling faster workforce mobilisation. By bringing processes onto a structured digital platform, we aim to help construction companies manage larger workforce requirements more efficiently. Our objective is to make technology deliver measurable improvements in project execution and productivity across India's construction sector.
Q. Labour contractors often struggle with delayed payments, bill certification and limited visibility into payment cycles. How does the platform address these challenges, particularly for smaller contractors who may have limited bargaining power?
Asutosh Katyal: Smaller contractors often face uncertainty around bill certification, payment updates and cash-flow planning. Digital processes can improve information visibility, documentation and coordination between contractors and construction companies. Our goal is to reduce these information gaps and support a more transparent ecosystem where smaller contractors can operate with greater confidence.
Q. India's construction workforce remains largely dependent on informal networks, phone calls and WhatsApp communication. What are the biggest barriers to digitising this ecosystem, and how are you persuading labour contractors to adopt a new way of working?
Asutosh Katyal: Trust, established informal networks and varying levels of digital familiarity are major barriers. Our approach is to make technology accessible through familiar channels such as phone calls and WhatsApp. We are not looking to replace existing relationships but strengthen them with better systems. Technology adoption becomes meaningful when it simplifies everyday work and delivers tangible value.
Q. The platform uses AI-assisted phone calls and WhatsApp messages to onboard contractors and keep them informed. How exactly does AI work within this process, and what role do you see it playing in the future of construction workforce management?
Asutosh Katyal: AI-assisted calls and WhatsApp communication help make contractor onboarding and information-sharing more accessible and scalable. Looking ahead, AI can support more efficient workforce coordination and help reduce repetitive administrative tasks. Our focus is on developing practical technology that addresses India's on-ground challenges rather than introducing complexity for its own sake.
Q. Construction companies already use enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to manage operations. How does Captech eFORCE integrate with existing systems, and what challenges have you encountered in connecting site-level activities with corporate reporting?
Asutosh Katyal: Our objective is to complement existing enterprise systems by improving the flow of workforce-related information between construction sites and corporate teams. The challenge lies in connecting diverse site-level processes with structured reporting. We believe better integration and data visibility can help companies make more informed decisions without disrupting their existing systems.
Q. You say the platform currently works with more than 5,000 labour contractors and impacts nearly five lakh blue-collar workers across over 30 projects. How has this network grown, and what has been the most significant change you have observed in workforce coordination since its introduction?
Asutosh Katyal: Our network across more than 30 projects demonstrates the potential to bring greater structure to India's construction workforce ecosystem. The key opportunity lies in improving communication, workforce coordination and access to job opportunities. We want to demonstrate how technology designed for Indian realities can support the industry at scale.
Q. The construction industry faces persistent challenges around labour availability, worker retention and project delays. Can a digital platform address these structural problems, or does the industry also need changes in how it recruits, trains and treats its workforce?
Asutosh Katyal: Technology can improve workforce coordination, but structural challenges also require better working conditions, timely payments, skill development and more reliable employment practices. We see digitisation as one part of a larger transformation. India's construction industry needs solutions that improve productivity while recognising the contribution and welfare of its workforce.
Q. Captech eFORCE aims to offer contractors repeated job opportunities within the same construction company. How can technology help create greater income stability for labour contractors and workers in an industry where employment is often project-based?
Asutosh Katyal: Technology can help connect contractors with recurring workforce requirements across projects, reducing the need to rebuild networks for every assignment. More consistent opportunities can support workforce planning and stronger relationships between contractors and construction companies. Our aim is to make the ecosystem more organised and help create greater continuity in project-based employment.
Q. As India's infrastructure and real estate sectors expand, how do you see construction technology evolving over the next five years? What are Captech Technologies' priorities for scaling eFORCE, and how will you measure its long-term impact on India's construction ecosystem?
Asutosh Katyal: Construction technology will increasingly focus on connected systems, AI-assisted processes and better operational visibility. At Captech, our priority is to scale eFORCE while addressing the practical needs of India's construction ecosystem. We will focus on improving workforce coordination, operational efficiency and contractor participation. Our larger ambition is to build solutions in India, for India, that contribute to a more efficient, inclusive and future-ready construction industry.
