JNPT Helmsman Sethi Departs After Steady Hand at the Wheel

Following a five-year term marked by unprecedented challenges and bold transformations, Maharashtra cadre IAS officer Sanjay Sethi stepped down as Chairman of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPT) on Tuesday. His tenure coincided with the global pandemic's disruptive impact on trade, yet Sethi steered the port to new heights, turning India's biggest state-owned container gateway into a model of efficiency and innovation. Arriving in 2019 amidst leadership instability at JNPT, Sethi quickly steadied the ship. He embarked on a series of initiatives to improve ease of doing business, prioritizing process simplification, digitalization, and infrastructure upgrades. The flagship Centralized Parking Plaza, for instance, significantly streamlined operations, propelling JNPT's efficiency parameters towards global benchmarks. Under Sethi's leadership, JNPT achieved the remarkable feat of turning around container ships in just 22 hours, as per the World Bank's 2023 Logistics Performance Index Report. This surpassed not only Indian peers but also established players like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and even the US and UAE. Perhaps Sethi's most audacious accomplishment was the privatization of the port's container terminal. Previously a drain on resources due to operational losses, this terminal faced stiff competition from newer, more efficient facilities. Despite the sensitivity surrounding public sector privatization, Sethi expertly navigated the process, securing lucrative royalties for the port and ensuring employee buy-in. Furthermore, Sethi demonstrated unwavering conviction by barring India's leading private port operator, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, from the privatization tender due to a contract termination issue at another port. This bold decision showcased his commitment to protecting JNPT's interests and securing the best deal for the public. Sethi's one unfulfilled wish might be witnessing the completion of the crucial last-mile stretch of the western dedicated freight corridor (DFC) connecting JNPT to Vaitarna. This long-delayed project holds immense potential for further efficiency gains through double-stack container trains. Sanjay Sethi's departure leaves behind a legacy of resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication to transforming India's maritime landscape. His tenure at JNPT stands as a testament to the power of visionary leadership in navigating adversity and charting a course towards excellence.