Enthused by corporate giant Reliance Industries' $1.5-billion bond sale, a host of Indian companies have lined up plans to raise funds through the sale of bonds in global markets. While more than half a dozen companies, including the likes of Anil Ambani group firm Reliance Communications, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Essar Energy, have already firmed up their bond issuance plans, others are also looking to tap this fund- raising route, banking sources said. RIL's record $1.5-billion bond sale has come as a boost for India Inc, a senior banking official said, adding that the international debt market has emerged as a major avenue in the backdrop of India emerging as a major source for foreign funds. Given the recent surge in the inflow of foreign funds into stocks raising concerns about over-heating in the Indian equity market, funds invested through bonds are becoming a relatively safer way, he added.