JNPT Helmsman Sethi Departs After Steady Hand at the Wheel

03 Jan 2024 CW Team

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.

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.

Infrastructure Urban

15 Oct 2025

MoD Spends Over 50% of FY26 Defence Capital Outlay by September

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has utilised more than 50 per cent of its capital outlay for FY 2025–26 by the end of September. The capital expenditure stands at Rs 922,114.4 million (51.23 per cent) out of the total allocation of Rs 18 billion. In the previous fiscal, MoD had fully utilised its capital budget of Rs 1,597,684 million. This strong expenditure pace will ensure timely delivery of major platforms such as aircraft, ships, submarines, and weapon systems vital for the modernisation of the Armed Forces. Most of the spending has been on aircraft and aero engines, followed by land sys..

Infrastructure Urban

15 Oct 2025

Amit Shah Launches Rs 40, 000 Bn Investment Projects in Rajasthan

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated investment projects worth Rs 40,000 billion and a state-level exhibition on India’s new criminal laws in Jaipur. He also launched several development projects of the Rajasthan government in the presence of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and senior officials. Shah described the three new criminal laws as the biggest reform of the 21st century, aimed at shifting focus from punishment to justice. He said that in Rajasthan, the conviction rate has risen from 42 to 60 per cent and is expected to touch 90 per cent once the la..

Infrastructure Transport

15 Oct 2025

Gadkari Unveils Rs 200 Bn Highway Projects in Puducherry

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for three National Highway projects worth over Rs 2,000 crore in Puducherry, along with Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan and Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy. The projects include a 4-km elevated corridor between Indira Gandhi Square and Rajiv Gandhi Square on NH-32, improvements to the 14-km ECR Road on NH-332A, and the inauguration of the 38-km four-lane Puducherry–Poondiyankuppam section of NH-32. These works will reduce travel time across Puducherry’s urban stretch from 35 minutes to 10 minu..