Babu joined GMR Group in September 2024 to oversee the development of 'aerocities'—districts that merge hospitality, business, and entertainment directly with airport infrastructure. Currently operational in Delhi and Hyderabad, with expansion planned for Goa and Bhogapuram, these projects leverage unified management systems to optimize everything from security staffing to traffic flow. By controlling both the airport and the surrounding district, GMR Group can deploy real-time data platforms like the Unified Total Airside Management system to reduce congestion and improve operational efficiency.
Raghunath Babu on building India’s sustainable aerocities
“A smart city doesn’t mean a big city,” says Raghunath Babu, the newly appointed CEO of Smart Cities for GMR Group. Tasked with integrating technology into airport ecosystems, the former Surbana International executive aims to transform the areas surrounding major transit hubs into self-sustaining, walkable urban destinations.
Sustainability remains a central pillar of this expansion. The company has pledged to align its operations with the United Nations Global Compact, aiming for carbon neutrality through renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. Beyond infrastructure, the firm is integrating green spaces, exemplified by the planting of over 700,000 seedlings at Delhi Airport. Partnering with firms like Awiros to implement AI-driven automation, the group intends to prove that high-traffic transit zones can function as environmentally conscious, livable urban centers.
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