In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, senior IAS officer SVR Srinivas shared the toughest calls of his career, highlighting his tenure with MMRDA during the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project.
While overseeing the ₹20,000 crore project, Srinivas noticed that a 5-foot wall was planned on each side of the 22 km sea bridge. “On the first day itself, I realised it would spoil the look and feel for generations to come. People might even criticise it later,” he recalled. He pushed for a new design, which was approved and became a success.
During COVID-19, he faced another challenge when top consultant AECOM refused to visit India. “I wanted staff and workers to be guided on the ground in Mumbai. When he refused, I decided to remove him. It was risky but a calibrated call,” he said, adding that his knowledge of infrastructure and urban projects, along with his daily presence at the site, ensured the project’s success.
With Atal Setu operational, Srinivas noted, “Mumbai is no longer an island city. In the next 4–5 years, there will be a spur of economic growth.”
On IAS power, he said, “Yes, IAS officers hold power, but with it comes accountability. The only power that cannot be controlled is transfer. It is easy to get transferred and go, but difficult to stay and deliver. Learn to negotiate, convince, and get everyone on board—only then success comes.”
