M.K. Sethu

• Managed Water Treatment Plant projects for Kambia and Pujehun Towns, Sierra Leone.
• Coordinated with process design engineers, government officials, and Water & Sewer Directorate engineers to appraise project progress and ensure compliance.
• Conducted meetings with the Public Health Minister and other stakeholders to report on ongoing project status.
• Oversaw procurement and shipment of critical equipment, including 14 panel boards and DI, CI, HDPE pipes, ensuring timely delivery from Tuticorin to Freetown Port.

• Managed all civil engineering works and played a key role in establishing the automated production of Bio-Digester Tanks, ensuring process efficiency and quality standards.

Salary: Rs. 8,41,752 per annum.

Reason for Leaving: Limited civil projects at the current company; sought more challenging civil engineering opportunities.

• Managed and executed large institutional, hospital, and commercial projects.
• Key projects included KMCH Medical College, Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College, Joy Alukkas Jewellery Showroom, Hindusthan Hospitals, Maple Tower, and Spotlight.
• Oversaw the full project lifecycle: planning, execution, site supervision, contractor coordination, and quality control.
• Collaborated with architects, engineers, and stakeholders to maintain design integrity, regulatory compliance, and client satisfaction.
• Ensured timely delivery of projects while adhering to technical and safety standards.

Salary: Rs. 1,25,000 per month.
Reason for Leaving: Transitioned to pursue better professional opportunities.

• Managed hospitals, colleges, residential, and industrial infrastructure projects, overseeing the full project lifecycle from planning and design coordination to site supervision, contractor management, and quality control. Ensured timely delivery, compliance with technical and safety standards, and alignment with client expectations.

Salary: Rs. 55,000 per month.

Reason for Leaving: Transitioned to pursue better professional opportunities.

Managed high-rise residential and Dell SEZ infrastructure projects, overseeing end-to-end project execution. Responsibilities included project planning, scheduling, contractor supervision, quality assurance, and stakeholder coordination to ensure completion on time, within budget, and according to design specifications.

Salary: Rs. 1,37,500 per month.
Reason for Leaving: Successfully completed the projects.

• Led a team of 11 supervisory engineers across civil, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and quality control disciplines.
• Coordinated with design, architectural, and structural consultants (STUP, Mumbai) to finalize ‘Good for Construction’ drawings and review shop drawings.
• Managed multiple contractors, including NUTECH Constructions, A.J. Associates, Phoenix Infrastructures & Projects, GR Tech, ensuring timely execution and resolving quality issues.
• Conducted weekly progress review meetings with vendors, recommended and authorized payment bills, and ensured projects met quality and schedule targets.
• Represented STUP in a one-to-one discussion with Mr. Horgnies, Head of Societe du Canal de Provence, in Colombo, Sri Lanka (6th Dec 2011).
• Successfully handed over the project to the client within the stipulated timeline.

Salary: Rs. 1,37,500 per month.

Reason for Leaving: Project completed successfully.

Employed by Creative Environmental Consultants (CEC), Chennai and appointed as Project Coordinator by L&T Shipbuilding, Kattuppalli – Chennai. Oversaw construction and project management for water supply, sewerage, and firefighting systems, including:

• Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and sewage pumping stations
• Fresh water underground sump and overhead tanks
• Firefighting sump and pump house

Responsibilities included project planning, site supervision, contractor coordination, and ensuring adherence to quality, safety, and technical standards.

Salary: Rs. 1,25,000 per month.

Reason for Leaving: Completed the project successfully.

Managed end-to-end construction and project execution for major water infrastructure projects, including primary and secondary clarifiers, sludge thickener, balancing tanks, chlorine contact tank, and aeration tanks.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Finalized and awarded pile contracts, successfully completing 818 piles with depths ranging from 30 to 40 feet.
• Reviewed tenders and shop drawings, and issued working drawings for seven major water-retaining structures.
• Supervised construction of major tanks:
  Chlorine Contact Tank: 23.10 m × 17.36 m × 3.70 m
  Balancing Tank: 44.50 m × 36.00 m × 4.70 m
  Aeration Tank: 55.60 m × 43.00 m × 6.00 m
• Attended monthly review meetings chaired by Managing Director & Engineering Director of Chennai Metro Water.
• Coordinated with government bodies, Anna University, and consultants for design approvals and project compliance.
• Recruited and managed engineering support personnel, defined scopes of work, employed subcontractors, and conducted staff appraisals.
• Prepared specifications for electro-mechanical and instrumentation systems per CMWSSB Project Manuals.
• Floated tenders and managed procurement with vendors such as POWERICA, PICO PURO, HILLER DECANTER, JASH, BARON POWER, AMAZON, KAIZEN, ALMECH, securing supplies for penstocks, centrifuges, motors & pumps, VFD drives, 1250 KVA generators, blowers, diffusers, and panel boards.
• Conducted regular progress review meetings with consultants and company leadership to ensure timely, quality, and compliant project delivery.

Salary: ₹1,25,000 per month.

Reason for Leaving: Transitioned to pursue better professional opportunities and work environment.

Served as General Manager (Technical) overseeing three major projects with a total value of Rs. 71 Cr, including TAJSATS Air Catering Unit (New International Airport), 32 Hi-Tech Villas, and Chinmaya Elementary School with AC Auditorium.

• Recruited and managed engineering personnel across disciplines and specified scopes for multiple subcontractors and vendors.
• Coordinated with vendors including Voltas, Thermax, KONE Elevators, Hydranautics, Aim Electrical Controls, and more for civil, mechanical, electrical, and automation works.
• Oversaw project planning, site execution, contractor supervision, and quality control, ensuring timely completion and adherence to technical and safety standards.
• Commissioned critical systems for TAJSATS, including sewage and wastewater treatment, water treatment, fire detection & alarm, CCTV, access control, lifts, automated gates, AC & chiller units, boilers, and pipelines.
• Conducted periodical review meetings with project architects, consultants, client GM/CE, Airport Authority, and Pollution Control Board to appraise progress and ensure compliance.
• Managed construction of 32 hi-tech villas and school infrastructure, finalizing subcontractors, monitoring progress, and ensuring smooth handover to clients.

Key Achievements:

• Successfully commissioned and handed over the TAJSATS facility to the client, meeting all technical and safety requirements.

• Delivered high-quality construction and project management across residential, institutional, and airport infrastructure projects within budget and timelines.
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Salary: Rs. 1,00,000 per month.

Reason for Leaving: Completed the projects successfully.

1. Construction & Project Management – 4 CETPs, Tirupur

• Managed project supervision for four Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) CETPs in Tirupur, totaling ₹220 crore. One CETP commissioned for pre-RO operations; remaining RO plants pending thermal evaporator completion.
• Appointed and coordinated with main contractors: GEA (now BGR), NUCHEM WEIR INDIA LTD, ENKEM ENGINEERS PVT. LTD.
• Approved subcontractors for civil works: M.R. Constructions and Periyar Techno Constructions.
• Conducted site inspections and quality testing, including visits to HDPE manufacturing facilities in Thailand before pipe shipment.
• Regularly updated and appraised project progress to Chairman and MD of all four CETPs.
• Liaised with PCB and city municipality officials to ensure regulatory compliance and smooth project execution.

2. Project Study – NIT Trichy Sewage Treatment Facility

• Conducted field survey and study of the existing STP at NIT Trichy campus.
• Participated in joint meetings with CEC Head, Expert Mr. Harsha, NIT Director, Prof. & Head of Civil Engineering Dept., and Dr. Ramesh (Environmental Dept.).
• Presented project proposal and recommendations for upgrading the existing STP infrastructure.

Salary: Rs. 1,00,000 per month.

Reason for Leaving: Completed the projects successfully.

• Handled construction activities across multiple projects, including office and storage sheds for BHEL Perungulam 95 MW, Ramanad, residential and institutional projects such as Mohammed Sathak Engineering College, shopping complex with lodging facilities, a cluster of six houses at Kilakkarai, and numerous residential buildings in and around Trichy. Responsibilities included site supervision, contractor coordination, and ensuring timely and quality execution.
• Salary: As per consultation
• Reason for Leaving: Transitioned to pursue broader professional opportunities and career growth.

• Led the construction of a 5-storey barracks facility for the National Security department in the Maldives, overseeing site execution, contractor coordination, quality control, and timely project delivery.
• Salary: Rs. 55,000 per month.
• Reason for Leaving: Transitioned to pursue broader professional opportunities and better career prospects.

• Short-term consultancy focused on enhancing construction supervision methods for water, sewerage, and stormwater drainage projects.
• Salary: Rs. 70,000 per month.
• Reason for Leaving: Completion of the short-term assignment.

• Provided civil engineering consultancy services for housing and industrial projects for both private clients and government agencies in and around Tiruchirappalli. Responsibilities included planning, design coordination, construction supervision, and technical advisory support.
• Salary: Varied; annual earnings approximately ₹6,00,000
• Reason for Leaving: Transitioned to pursue broader professional opportunities and higher-value project engagements.

Served as Project Engineer in the Middle East for over 11 years, representing the internationally renowned US project management firm Metcalf & Eddy and its associate companies, delivering major water supply, sewerage, stormwater drainage, and sewage treatment projects.

Key Responsibilities & Experience:

• Led construction supervision of water supply pipelines (32 mm to 1200 mm dia.) using Series 5 PVC, SAS 14 PVC, and cement-lined ductile iron pipes over 75+ km.
• Supervised sewer networks (150 mm to 2200 mm dia.) using HSVCP, FRP, and FRPP materials, including pressure manholes, a then-new concept successfully implemented.
• Oversaw construction of pumping stations (10–100 HP) and an Activated Sludge Sewage Treatment Plant designed for a population of 0.42 million with per capita water supply of ~450 LPD.
• Managed large, multi-contractor infrastructure projects with stringent quality, safety, and performance requirements.

Major Projects Executed:

• Dammam City Storm Water Piped Drainage Project – USD 82 Million (1982)
• Kafji Water Distribution System – USD 40 Million (1984)
• Dammam City NE & SW Water Supply & Sewerage Project – USD 25 Million (1987)
• Eight Integrated Water & Sewerage Infrastructure Projects – USD 320 Million (1989)

Project Monitoring & Technology:

• Implemented computerized project monitoring systems to analyze lead times, lag times, rolled-up tasks, and task dependencies for effective decision-making.
• Utilized precision digital theodolites, distance-measuring instruments, and digital plotting techniques, integrating site data with portable computers.
• Enabled paperless project execution, electronic data exchange between project engineers and contractors, and real-time progress reporting with high accuracy.

Project Management Expertise:

• Acquired advanced project management skills using computerized tools for risk simulation, delay forecasting, and performance visualization, a hallmark methodology of Metcalf & Eddy.

Salary: 5,500 SAR per month.

Reason for Leaving: Opted to discontinue the overseas assignment due to geopolitical conditions during the Gulf War.

• Managed the construction of nine high-tech residential dwellings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, overseeing site execution, quality control, and contractor coordination.
• Salary: 4,000 SAR per month.
• Reason for Leaving: Moved on to pursue better professional growth and long-term career prospects.

• On deputation from the TWAD Board, worked with WHO/UNDP experts and M/s Engineering Science to prepare the Master Plan for the Madras City Water Supply and Sewerage Board, including forecasting infrastructure requirements up to the year 2001.
• Reason for Leaving: Pursued an overseas opportunity in the Middle East (Gulf region).

• Executed construction of office and residential buildings, pump houses, control rooms, overhead water tanks, and water mains for drought-relief schemes. Involved in road formation works, culverts, causeways, small bridges, and extensive surveying and leveling activities.
• Reason for Leaving: Deputed to the WHO / UNDP–supported Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Master Planning Project.