Passionate about water management and sustainability, Sushil Sethi Jain has been working in the water and wastewater segments for over three decades. In his current capacity as managing director, SPML Infra Limited, Sethi has been instrumental in charting the firm’s growth over the years. Starting from a time when water management was an unheard of business, SPML Infra is now one of the key water management companies in the country. It is the only Indian firm to be featured in the global top 40 private water and wastewater companies.
Sethi has helped change the way drinking water and wastewater projects are executed in the country. Based on his suggestions, the Rajasthan government has started awarding projects on a single-point responsibility basis, resulting in cost savings and timely water supply. He has also been responsible for the success of private participation in the water distribution segment. In line with his advice, the Delhi Jal Board is now successfully implementing water management projects on a PPP basis. He has also pushed for the inclusion of long-term operations and maintenance under the scope of construction projects. This model has been successfully implemented for all water supply and irrigation projects in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Delhi.
As per Sethi’s suggestion, the central government has advised all states to follow technology-neutral tenders for sewage treatment projects. This has helped municipalities across the country avoid technology-based biases and move towards solution-focused projects. For his valuable contributions to infrastructure development, Sethi was conferred the Infrastructure Person of the Year award at the Construction Week India Awards, 2014.
Besides SPML Infra Limited, Sethi holds prestigious positions in various other organisations. He is co-chairman of the Northern Regional Development Council of ASSOCHAM. He is also a member of several task force committees under FICCI and is associated with CII as well.
Sethi has a bachelor’s degree in commerce. He says, “I am passionate about water management and I have had no chance to think about anything else for the past 30 years. My job constantly challenges my abilities and allows me to execute new ideas.” Inspired by his father, Sethi believes in planning for future development projects. Committed to community development and social service, he enjoys meeting new people.