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GMR Group, the company that is undertaking the modernisation of Delhi airport, may look at investing in infrastructure-focused private equity funds. The $750-million Hyderabad-based company has received investment proposals from PE funds, however, the company is yet to take a call on whether it should invest in funds, reports Business Standard.

BS quotes a GMR executive as saying: "We haven't decided on any funds. We are mulling over various funds and if we find them attractive, we may consider them. The current focus of the company, however, is to complete the projects in hand such as revamping the Delhi Airport and completing the greenfield Hyderabad international airport." GMR Infrastructure has cash reserves of around Rs 1,200 crore with only Rs 120 crore in debt.

LIC Housing Finance Ltd, the mortgage lending arm of India's largest life insurer LIC, is also getting into funding of real estate projects. Mint reports that LICHFL has invested Rs 50 crore ($12.5 million) in Kotak Realty Fund and Rs 10 crore ($2.5 million) in CIG Realty Fund. The company is now evaluating if it should launch a fund of its own based on the performance of these funds. S.K.Mitter, CEO of LIC Housing, told Mint: “Based upon the positive outcome, we may float our own venture fund sometime next year. A decision on this would be firmed up in the next couple of months.” If it happens, the fund can have a size of Rs 500 crore ($125 million).

Future Group (better known as Pantaloon Group) is planning to set up a $500 million logistics fund, reports Business Standard. The offshore fund will invest in large warehouses in major cities across the country and the centres will cater to dry and cold warehousing needs of retail and FMCG businesses, the report says. These centres will be independent owner and provider of logistics facilities, and not just limited to the use of the Future Group.