SPML Infra seeks to play a key role in India's water infrastructure development.

Subhash Sethi
Chairman, SPML Infra Limited

How do you assess India’s water infrastructure growth and ongoing developments?

India’s water infrastructure has seen significant growth in recent years, with the government recognizing its critical role in socio-economic development. Key investments have been made to improve public health, agriculture, industry, and overall economic growth. Major government initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission aim to provide clean tap water to every household, having already connected over 152 million rural homes in 2.36 lakh villages spread across 190 districts since inception in 2019. The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) focuses on enhancing urban water supply and sewerage systems, and the fund has been utilised to provide a total of 5.86 million tap water connections, and 3.75 million sewerage connections in urban areas.

In wastewater management, the Namami Gange Programme addresses pollution control, sewage treatment, and ecosystem restoration for the Ganga River. A total of 450 projects have been taken at an estimated cost of Rs 38,022.37 crore, out of which 270 projects have been completed and made operational. Under the scheme, 109 sewerage treatment projects have been completed resulting in creation & rehabilitation of 2664.05 MLD of STP capacities and laying of 4,465.54 km of sewerage network.

Coastal regions like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu are establishing desalination plants to combat water scarcity. Water recycling and reuse technologies are also gaining traction to augment water availability.

How is the company playing a major role in the development of India’s water infrastructure?

SPML Infra has been instrumental in addressing challenges related to drinking water supply, aging infrastructure, and wastewater treatment. For over four decades, the company has played a pivotal role in building sustainable water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations as well as urban water supply systems, ensuring clean water access in water-stressed areas. Having completed about 700 projects across India, SPML Infra has established itself as a leader in the sector.

With a strong track record and vast experience, SPML Infra is qualified to bid on water projects worth up to Rs 1,500 crore. This capability enables the company to take on large-scale, prestigious water supply projects, reinforcing its role as a key player in India’s water infrastructure sector.

As the industry adapts to the growing challenges of water scarcity and urbanization, SPML Infra’s technical expertise and execution capabilities make it well-positioned to lead transformative efforts. Our proficiency in adopting new technologies and delivering innovative solutions places the company at the forefront of India’s water infrastructure advancements.

As the country strives to meet its water management objectives, SPML Infra will be vital in translating ambitious plans into tangible outcomes, contributing to India's sustainable development and long-term water security.

Which are the landmark and upcoming projects of the company?

One standout project involved water loss management scheme in Bengaluru that achieved significant results, reducing water loss from 53% to 18%, saving around 55 million litres of potable water daily across 43 district metering areas (DMAs) in which we have implemented the project. Another notable project includes a part of Sauni Yojana in Gujarat, which involved laying a massive 3,000 mm diameter MS pipeline. This extensive project aims to divert one million acre-feet (1 MAF) of water to 115 reservoirs through a 1,115-km pipeline network, irrigating 1.8 million hectares of land and providing drinking water to 39 million people across 132 towns and 11,456 villages in Gujarat. We have also completed several water supply projects in Rajasthan, meeting the drinking water needs of millions of people across many districts. Our smart metering projects implemented across several cities helped utilities with remote monitoring of water consumption, leak detection, and efficient distribution management system.

SPML Infra is also focused on wastewater treatment and recycling, promoting sustainable water management by building sewage, effluent, and tertiary treatment plants. In urban areas, SPML Infra has developed robust water infrastructure by constructing distribution networks, pumping stations, pipelines, and storage facilities.

SPML Infra is executing a number of large water supply projects in states of Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to make provision of clean tap water facilities in different districts, under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The third phase of Sauni Yojana project is under implementation with 139 km of up to 2,700 mm diameter water pipeline along with construction of pumping stations.

How do you look forward to the emerging opportunities in the water infra sector?

India's water sector has seen rapid growth, with ambitious initiatives like Jal Jeevan Mission, AMRUT, Namami Gange, and Atal Bhujal Yojana driving further expansion. These programs offer significant opportunities for companies like SPML Infra. Its strong track record and expertise allow the company to take on large, high-value projects, reinforcing its leadership in the water infrastructure sector.

With country’s water assets aging, we anticipate significant focus towards enhancing water infrastructure, including projects for clean water access, water conservation, and wastewater management. Further investment in smart water management systems, leak detection technologies, and water quality monitoring tools are essential to address water scarcity and reduce significant water loss in distribution networks.

As the industry faces challenges from growing population and urbanization, SPML Infra’s technical expertise and ability to adopt new technologies make it a key player in shaping India’s water future. By leveraging its capabilities, SPML Infra is poised to play a major role in shaping the future of India's water sector.

What is your Mission 2025 for the company?

SPML Infra aims to become India’s leading infrastructure company by 2025, with a strong focus on sustainable solutions in water projects, particularly large-scale bulk water supply initiatives.

Our strategic plan includes building a robust order book worth over Rs 5,000 crore by 2025, by bidding for fully-funded bulk water projects, ensuring faster execution. We will boost profitability by targeting high-growth, high-margin opportunities while achieving carbon neutrality through the promotion of green infrastructure. SPML Infra aims to maintain a healthy annual growth rate by delivering top-quality projects on time, integrating smart technologies to improve efficiency, and significantly reducing
project costs.

By achieving these goals, SPML Infra seeks to play a key role in India's water infrastructure development, ensuring sustainable growth, enhanced profitability, and increased stakeholder value. Our focus on large-scale water projects, combined with prudent financial management through escrow mechanisms, will drive our growth and solidify our leadership in the sector.