Building Sustainable Infrastructure for India
India's first structured rating framework to assess, guide, and accelerate sustainability performance across linear infrastructure projects.
About DHARTI
A Framework Built on Evidence, Not Intent
DHARTI is a structured and comprehensive rating framework developed to assess, guide, and accelerate sustainability performance across projects, organisations, and built environments. Anchored in the principles of environmental responsibility, social inclusion, and governance excellence, DHARTI provides a credible and consistent benchmark for evaluating real-world sustainability outcomes and long-term resilience.
The DHARTI Rating is designed to move beyond intent-based commitments and standalone disclosures, placing emphasis on measurable performance, verifiable evidence, and continuous improvement. It enables stakeholders to clearly understand their current sustainability performance while offering a structured pathway for progression aligned with national priorities, global best practices, and evolving regulatory and market expectations.
Environmental Responsibility
Reducing carbon emissions, protecting biodiversity, and minimising ecological impact across the full project lifecycle.
Social Inclusion
Ensuring community wellbeing, worker safety, and equitable access for all stakeholders affected by infrastructure.
Governance Excellence
Driving accountability, transparency, and best practices among developers, contractors, and policymakers.
Scope
Where DHARTI-LI Applies
The DHARTI-LI Rating System applies to linear infrastructure projects extending across corridors and landscapes with significant environmental, social, and economic lifecycle impacts.
Road & Highway
Expressways, national & state highways
Rail Infrastructure
Broad gauge, metro, light rail, high-speed
Bridges & Viaducts
Road bridges, flyovers, cable-stayed
Tunnels & Underground
Road, rail & mountain tunnels
Airport Runways & Taxiways
Runways, taxiways, apron elements
Pipelines & Networks
Oil, gas, water, sewerage
Transmission Lines
Power grids, utility corridors, fiber
Canals & Waterways
Irrigation, navigation, drainage
Ports & Maritime
Berths, quays, conveyor corridors
Multi-Modal Corridors
Integrated road-rail-utility hubs
Version 1.0 | 2026
DHARTI-LI
Decarbonised Habitat Assessment & Rating for Transition Initiatives — Linear Infrastructure
A point-based evaluation methodology covering 10 impact categories totalling 100 points, plus up to 10 Innovation Credits — 110 points in total. All credits are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Certification Levels
The Imperative
Why DHARTI Matters
Aligned with India's Net Zero by 2070 goal and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047
Offers a standardised, measurable framework to assess sustainability across the full project lifecycle — from planning and design through to construction, operation, and maintenance.
Encourages responsible resource use, reduces carbon emissions, and minimises environmental impacts including habitat loss, pollution, and resource depletion.
Drives efficiency and accountability among developers, contractors, and policymakers, fostering innovation and adoption of best practices in infrastructure projects.
Delivers measurable lifecycle emission reductions by systematically integrating sustainability benchmarks into infrastructure planning and construction.
Supports India's requirement for climate-resilient infrastructure investment with a credible, standardised performance framework.
Get in Touch
Contact Us
Interested in DHARTI-LI certification, becoming an Accredited Professional, or learning more about the rating system? Reach out to our team.
Get in touch directly
Our team typically responds within one business day.
Phone
+91 98111 22522Head Office
B-67, Sector-67, Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 201301