Shriram Capital eyes infra biz, may start with power

Shriram Capital (SCL), the holding company of the Chennai-based Shriram Group, is exploring possibilities of entering the infrastructure sector over the next 12 months, a top company official said today.

The business would be conducted either through a new company or by one of the Group's existing firms, the official said today.

"The opportunities in infrastructure are tremendous. We plan to enter the infrastructure space, most likely over the next 12 months. However, we have so far not structured anything. We will use some of our capital to promote the business," Shriram Capital Chairman Arun Duggal told PTI.

Though the company is yet to draw up a specific plan for its infrastructure venture, Shriram is eyeing opportunities in the power sector.

"As much as 65 per cent of the opportunity lies in the power sector. We are looking at this on a priority. However, other segments such as roads, ports and shipping also hold enormous potential," Duggal said.

The government had recently said the infrastructure sector needs about Rs 4,05,000-crore investment over the next five years of which Rs 2,02,500 crore would be coming from the private sector.