LEADERS IN CONSTRUCTION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE
STARTUPS COMPANIES
OCTOBER, 2022
CEOINSIGHTSINDIA.COM
KUMAR
MD & CEO, RODOVIA INDIA
RAJESH
AN INNOVATIVE LEADER
SPARKING A PARADIGM
SHIFT IN INFRASTRUCTURE
DEVELOPMENT & `150
MAINTENANCE |1 | JUNE 2021
COVER
STORY
TOP10
LEADERS IN CONSTRUCTION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE STARTUPS COMPANIES - 2022
Kumar Rajesh,
MD & CEO,
Rodovia India
KUMAR RAJESH
Kumar is a B. Tech. (in Civil
Engineering) with an MBA (in
Finance). While possessing more
than 27 years of experience in
Project Development, Public Private
Partnership Advisory, DBFOT,
EPC & execution of infrastructure
projects (Roads & Airports), he
also brings excellent knowledge
AN INNOVATIVE LEADER and knowhow to the table, having
completed an advanced course on
SPARKING A PARADIGM SHIFT IN Recycling, Pavement Design, and
New Materials from Stellenbosch
University, Cape Town SA. He
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT has worked in several roles in the
corporate realm with companies
& MAINTENANCE such as Linnhoff India, IL&FS
Transportation Networks, Wirtgen
India, IL&FS Infrastructure
Development Corporation, RITES,
CES (I), Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick,
and Sinar Mas (Indonesia). He
T
also possesses wide experience
hanks to the sustainable engineering benchmarks set by passionate industry thought leaders and working with the World Bank, ADB,
the globally leading engineering solutions providers, today, if someone uses the word green or CRRI, and IITs. He was one of
sustainable in their tagline, they need to be able to back it up with their action. In fact, sustainable the members appointed by IRC to
infrastructure management & maintenance is as big a challenge as infrastructure development, modify IRC-43
especially in third-world cities. The lack of incorporation of an elaborate maintenance strategy
into the whole-life-cycle planning is one of the major elements that intensifies this challenge. Be it
public or private sector projects, quality, and sustainable construction and maintenance make a huge
difference to nation building. This makes innovative maintenance measures identified and executed • Hobbies: Playing Cricket
based on the merit of the situations a dire need of the hour—to minimize the costs and ensure the • Favorite Cuisine: Indian
highest quality maintenance in the long term. This embraces the story of Rodovia India—a sustainable • Favorite Book: The Alchemist
infrastructure development company that provides proven, scientific, technical & economical solutions • Favorite Travel Destination:
for infrastructure development and operation & maintenance of Roads and Airports. Singapore
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Rodovia enjoys rich resources in terms of highly energy, natural resources, carbon footprints, time,
qualified and experienced professionals in the field and money. As a leader, I perceive the responsibility
of civil engineering. Professionals associated with toward green construction as it helps in the reduction
Rodovia have varied experience in research, planning, of operational costs and helps to manage energy
design, execution, operations, and maintenance of efficiency to a very great extent.
numerous large projects.
WE PROVIDE PROVEN
We take part in nation-building by providing long- What about your workforce safety envi-
SCIENTIFIC AND lasting, economical solutions to every road condition ronment? What are the measures that you
TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS of infrastructure projects during construction and have adopted to ensure the safety of your
TO SOLVE CHALLENGES operations & maintenance. workforce?
IN INFRASTRUCTURE Rodovia plays the role of the backbone of the The focus is on the safety environment during the
DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS
Indian construction industry. We provide proven construction as well as the operation & maintenance
scientific and technical solutions to solve challenges of infrastructure projects, predominantly with
OPERATION & MAINTENANCE
in infrastructure development as well as operation & mechanized measures by minimizing the involvement
OF ROADS AND AIRPORTS maintenance of Roads and Airports. of manpower to ensure the highest degree of safety
standards.
As a leader in the construction/infrastruc- To ensure the safety of the workforce at the site, we
ture development industry, how do you are adopting several highly regarded safety measures.
perceive the changing market behaviors For instance, a Toolbox Talk is an informal group
and the constant demand for top-notch discussion that focuses on a particular safety issue,
solutions under constrained budgets? safety plan, personal protective equipment (PPE),
I perceive the changing market behavior as a very following environmental guidelines, proper site
The story of Rodovia is also the story of Kumar Stabilized Materials, and Alternate Pavement Design good sign for the construction industry. It is a great training, safety Programs, and Culture.
Rajesh (MD & CEO, Rodovia India), his passion and with Stabilization, among others. omen that there is demand for quality solutions
commitment to nation-building. A true engineer at Accomplishing an advanced course on Recycling, under constrained budgets as it is very important to What are opportunities that you foresee in
heart and by qualifications, Kumar is a B. Tech. (in Pavement Design, and New Materials from give priority to quality, especially in the construction the road development segment? What are
Civil Engineering) with an MBA (in Finance). While Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, SA, in 2009, industry, and there is no doubt that it will be proved your future plans?
possessing more than 27 years of experience in Project getting selected as a member to revise IRC- 43 in 2010, as a major reason for the development of our nation. In the road development segment, opportunities are
Development, Public Private Partnership Advisory, and working with IRC committee members have been in abundance, not only in construction but also in
DBFOT, EPC & execution of infrastructure projects some of the important milestones as well. What did the pandemic mean for you? How Operation and Maintenance. We have constructed
(Roads & Airports), he also brings excellent knowledge did you approach the need for new opera- large road networks in the last two decades, and now
and knowhow to the table, having completed an Tell us about your leadership approach, as tional and financial strategies? there is a great need and high demand or opportunities
advanced course on Recycling, Pavement Design, and well as the values and guidelines that you Needless to say, the pandemic was very devastating for maintenance of these roads. At present, in India,
New Materials from Stellenbosch University, Cape follow as a leader. for the whole world. In the aftermath, the situation there is a shortage of professional O&M contractors.
Town SA. In an exclusive interview with CEO Insights, I lead from the front by taking action, demonstrating became very difficult for everyone. But there is My future plan is to provide sustainable, long-
Kumar shares more about his journey, as well as the what needs to be done, and keeping my team something about difficulties—you can only either cry lasting, economical solutions to every road condition
latest endeavors of Rodovia. organized to make sure we’re all on the same page or try. This was the thought that made me approach of infrastructure projects during construction,
In conversation with Kumar Rajesh, MD & CEO, and contributing equally. the need for new operational and financial strategies operations & maintenance.
Rodovia India. Communication is one of my greatest strengths. I knowing my capabilities and potential, and it
lead by facilitating open communication and trying worked. Based on your wealthy professional expe-
You have close to three decades of profes- to bring out the best in every team member. I’m riences, what would be your advice to the
sional experience. What have been some delegating and finding the strengths of other team Tell us about the sustainable practices the budding leaders in the industry?
of the most important milestones in your members is also one of my strong suits. I try to give company has adopted. As a leader, how My advice to all the mushrooming leaders will be
journey so far? each person a chance to do what they’re best at and do you perceive the responsibility toward that it is not going to be as easy falling off a log in
Some of the most important milestones in my create a team effort that delivers a result that’s greater green construction? the construction industry. You will have to work hard,
journey so far revolve around working on innovative than the sum of its parts. We at Rodovia have adopted a business practice believe in yourself, and always keep your confidence
technologies and materials to save natural resources, that is economically viable, socially responsible, and high. There will be difficult times, but with self-belief,
environment, energy, and carbon footprints. It also How would you define Rodovia as an or- environmentally friendly. Rodovia's forte is to promote sheer determination, and strong willpower, the hurdles
pertains to faster construction/rehabilitation with state- ganization? How does it take part in na- green construction. We largely do Construction/ can be managed well. Three C’s will help them to
of-the-art technologies, such as 'Cold- In- Plant/In-Situ tion-building? What is the kind of role Ro- Rehabilitation projects with Recycling, Stabilization, succeed in their respective fields: Choice, Clarity, and
Recycling, Hot-in-Plant/In-Situ Recycling, Bituminous dovia plays? alternate Pavement designs, and innovations to save Commitment.
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LEADERS IN CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE STARTUPS COMPANIES
CEOINSIGHTSINDIA.COM
TOP 10 LEADERS FROM CONSTRUCTION & INFRASTRUCTURE
STARTUPS — 2022
TOP 10
LEADERS IN CONSTRUCTION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE STARTUPS COMPANIES - 2022
CEO
Insights
IS PROUD TO PRESENT
KUMAR RAJESH
MD & CEO,
Rodovia India
AS ONE OF THE
Top 10 Leaders from Construction & Infrastructure Startups — 2022
This is an annual recognition that showcases exceptional leaders in the Construction &
Infrastructure industry who guide the industry to its future by
setting benchmarks across several key parameters.
Sujith Vasudevan
Managing Editor
