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“In power distribution projects, safety is the cornerstone of success,” remarks Subash Ranjan Sahoo smartly, who has wholeheartedly embraced this ethos as the EHS In-charge of the RDSS Raipur Project. “I strive to create a culture of safety that influences every aspect of our operations.
Since joining L&T in September 2017, Subash has built an impressive track record, successfully completing projects with zero LTIs, like DDUGJY Purba Midnapore; DDUGJY Bankura, which earned the RoSPA Gold; HVDS Bankura, a recipient of the RoSPA Silver; and HVDS Dakshin Dinajpur, which won multiple NSC Awards. “These experiences have provided invaluable insights into ensuring safety in diverse operational environments,” he notes.
“One of my proudest achievements has been maintaining the top EHS ranking for the RDSS Raipur Project since its inception,” says Subash, beaming. “This is testament to our team’s collective efforts and unwavering commitment to safety excellence.”
In the face of frequent labour turnover and the demanding nature of daily shutdown activities, Subash and team have focused on maintaining safety standards without compromise. “To overcome these challenges, my guiding principle has been to prioritize reporting of leading indicators such as near misses and unsafe acts & conditions and taking effective preventive & corrective actions,” he notes wisely.
Subash expresses gratitude for the guidance of his seniors throughout his journey. “I am fortunate to have been mentored by esteemed individuals like Mr. Rajkumar Singh Kushwaha, Mr. Rahul Panday, Mr. Amiya Kumar Nandi, Mr. Himanshu Kumar Singh, Mr. Dhandapani K, Mr. Saugata Ghosh, and Mr. Bibhudatta Lenka. Their wisdom and support have been instrumental in shaping my approach to safety leadership.”
Subash hails from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and he is thankful to his parents, Samir Ranjan Sahoo and Ahalya Sahoo, for encouraging him in his profession. “They have been my pillars of strength, throughout my journey of triumphs and challenges,” he relates emotionally. “They fuel my determination to continually strive for excellence in the realm of safety.” When he can, Subash carves out time to read non-fiction and self-help books.
Subash signs off with these wise words: “Let us remember that safety is not just a priority – it is a core value that must be upheld at all times. ‘The safety of the people shall be the highest law,’ as renowned safety advocate Paul O’Neill once said. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to safety, for it is the foundation upon which our success is built.”
What Ayan Das is most proud of and shares with instantly is about a visit of JICA officials to his CP 13 Project site at Bengaluru. “They were so impressed that we received an appreciation certificate for maintaining high quality and safety standards,” he mentions, with stars in his eyes. “During my tenure, there have been no incidents or near-misses, thanks to our rigorous safety protocols.”
A quick learner, Ayan’s association with L&T began as a Site Engineer at the Upper Indravathi Integrated Project (UIIP) in Odisha’s Kalahandi District, a lift canal irrigation system project, involving the construction of a 43.2 km concrete-lined canal with multiple VRBs, aqueducts, and other structures. CP 13 is his second project where too he has been busy implementing safety initiatives.
“Daily PEP talks and safety induction for workmen have been key to our approach,” he says, recalling the strict adherence to guidelines and EHS precautions during the time of the pandemic. “Addressing safety observations immediately within the same day is crucial to mitigate potential issues,” he says with conviction, sharing some of the various challenges he has faced, especially in the complex project sites in Odisha. “Working during the monsoon season, dealing with high water tables and seepage in sandy soil were tough, but we managed,” he smiles gamely.
“My senior, Mr. Raghupathy Santhanam, has guided me through the challenges of working in interior villages, ensuring smooth execution and timely completion of the project,” Ayan acknowledges the role of his seniors. Digital solutions have helped enhance safety on-site too. “The EHS Digital systems, especially ViewEHS, have streamlined tracking activities, hazards, and risks, making our work more efficient,” he mentions.
Outside of work, Ayan enjoys spending time with his family. From Balarambati in Hooghly District, West Bengal, he is married to Debarati Maji, a homemaker, and they have a son, Debarghya Das. Despite his tiring schedule, Ayan finds time for his hobbies, such as listening to music and cooking. “I love making my family’s favourite recipes on holidays,” he shares. A most memorable moment was receiving his first salary and buying gifts with it for all his family members.
Ayan takes pride in being part of L&T, particularly in contributing to projects that make a significant impact. “Being part of the UIIP Lift Canal Irrigation project and ensuring continuous water supply to farmers and villagers was deeply fulfilling,” he says with a definite sense of accomplishment.
If there is one thing that Shri Bhagwan has learnt about driving Safety at project sites in his 8 years with L&T, it is that communication is key to always keep EHS on top of everyone’s mind. “All our Pep Talks are to motivate the workers to maintain a safe workplace and take care of each other in tough site conditions,” he says with all seriousness. “By recognizing and appreciating their good work to maintain safety at site gives them the much-needed ‘push’ to perform better and in the end create a safe and healthy culture and work environment.”
He has realized the value of good communication more acutely at the remote location of his present site, the Kushalgarh Sajjangarh Package‑I project. “Because of the distances involved, to maintain safety, we continuously share site pictures on WhatsApp to be updated of progress,” he shares. “In addition, we appoint one worker to take responsibility at each location, which is how we control their performance in each activity and maintain our safety culture as per L&T standards.”
Shri began his association with L&T on 9 June 2016 at his first project, the Rajasthan Rural Water Supply & Fluorosis Mitigation Project at Nagaur TM01, after which in January 2019, he was transferred to his present site at the Kushalgarh water supply project Package 01 consisting of an intake well, a 30.58 MLD water treatment plant, 6 pumping stations,
27 Elevated Storage Reservoirs (ESRs), 540 kms MS, DI, & HDPE pipeline to feed 89 villages.
Shri is extremely appreciative of the support and cooperation he has been receiving at both his projects from his seniors, peers and team members, which have helped him work towards creating a safe work culture and maintain a healthy and safe workplace. “The digital app ViewEHS is very useful to document Safe Execution cards and SOP-related work activities,” he adds, tipping his hat at the virtues of digitalization.
On his personal front, Shri is a native of Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, and is married to Sunita, a science graduate with a Diploma in Teaching and a homemaker, and they are blessed with a son, Shivansh. Music and watching cricket are his hobbies, of course when he finds the time for them.
“I am immensely proud to be a part of L&T, a dream organization, and I am respected in society for working in such an organization,” he declares loftily.
What impresses Balakumar M most about L&T that he has been a part of since 2013 is the importance given to safety & quality that is on par with the focus on execution. “I have experienced it at all the three projects that I have been involved with,” he says, sharing that his journey with L&T began at the Pokhran–Falsoond–Balotra–Siwana Water Supply Project as Engineer that involved the construction of 15 ESRs, laying 70 km of DI pipes, 500 km of HDPE pipes and about 250 km of UPVC. Next, as Section In-charge at the Moga WSS Project, he was involved with the construction of a 50 MLD WTP and pump house. Presently, he is busy putting finishing touches to the Water Technology Centre in Kanchipuram.
Preparing SOPs was initially a challenge for Balakumar that he has mastered over time and admits that he finds getting work permits easier now than when he used to follow the manual method earlier.
“Reusing construction waste such as formwork material to make suggestion boxes and EHS frames with signages for plantation, etc., and using engineering controls & techniques to lay electrical cables overhead instead of underground for safety purposes are some EHS initiatives that we have implemented,” he notes. “I remember carrying out barricading and execution at an underground sump during one night with proper safety protocols that was vital for us to drive progress,” he shares with pride.
A moment of great happiness in Balakumar’s life is being selected by L&T 11 years ago and he is extremely appreciative of his seniors, through whom he procures his approvals.
A native of Agalanganallur, Trichy in Tamil Nadu, Balakumar’s better half is Swetha S, a homemaker, and what thrills him most during his free time is playing badminton.
PROUD TO BE BUILDING HIS CAREER WITH L&T
Bhaskaran Arulmani
Assistant Construction Manager (Civil), WET IC
Although young Bhaskaran Arulmani is just a year old in the Company and proud to be a working at his first project with L&T, the Shravasti Tubewell Scheme, he is even more delighted that after his wife, Kiruthika Dhanapal, found employment with L&T, theirs has become a true ‘L&T family’. “She joined me at site to become a homemaker after quitting her job, but after she attended a walk-in interview, and got selected in L&T, we have started this memorable journey with this company,” he says with great excitement.
Bhaskaran, along with his Shravasti Tubewell Scheme project team, are responsible for supplying water to every household through a pipeline from the tubewell for the 125 GPs in the Shravasti district. “I am taking care of the construction of precast foundations and CIS construction,” he informs.
From a safety perspective, he says, “We have been rigorously following and implementing all the SOPs at site level, properly utilizing the ViewEHS app in all areas,” he pauses and adds proudly, “I am the Safety Ambassador at my project too.” He is particularly impressed with the usefulness of the ViewEHS app that is ideal to learn all types of SOPs and OCPs, and equally useful to find and control any incident during their construction work.
Being a tubewell project, Bhaskaran finds coordinating activities across the scattered remote locations of sites very challenging. “It is very difficult to visit all the locations in a single day, so, we have engaged more front-line staff to observe the same,” he points out.
Bhaskaran is evidently very happy with his team and their teamwork. “As a team, we work and help each other for the allocated works and the aim of our project is to provide water to every household,” he says with determination. “Our Project Manager Mr. Sumit Sharma, Construction Manager Mr. Pritimay Bera, and EHS Manager Mr. Muthu Kumar have helped me to put more effort into my works with full attention to safety and quality.”
A native of Kanchipuram, Bhaskaran mentions proudly that people in his village still relate L&T to cement when they see an RMC Transit Mixer. “That is because of the brand name, and I am proud to be a L&T‑ite,” he signs off with all the josh of a newcomer.
About to complete his seventh year in L&T, Sudip Jana is currently at the Northern Link Pipeline Project, where he has implemented several safety initiatives such as establishing safe pathways, innovative signage at the site, putting environmental safeguards in place, creating emergency response plans, and more. “Preparing for the BSC Five Star Audit has been an eye-opener for me,” he relates, “as it has helped me better understand the importance of a workforce that is safety conscious. We conduct community safety workshops and ensure safety gear adoption by everyone at the site.”
Speaking of learnings, Sudip narrates a near miss incident from one of the sites he has worked at: “A coworker nearly stepped into an unmarked open trench. I immediately shouted a warning and alerted the site supervisor. This quick action prevented a potential fall and injury. Following this incident, we ensured that all trenches were properly marked, barricaded, and reinforced the importance of situational awareness and communication among the team.”
Grateful to his seniors for their support, Sudip mentions a few by name: “Mr. A. P. Sarangi, Mr. Rajesh Bambhaniya, Mr. Quamrul Huda, and last but not least, my team members have been instrumental in shaping my efforts to improve site safety,” he notes with a smile. “They promptly respond to incidents by marking the area, reinforce safety protocols, and consistently communicate the importance of vigilance, to help create a collaborative and safety-conscious environment.”
On the digital front, Sudip and team use digital apps regularly to enhance site safety practices through real-time hazard reporting, safety audits, and tracking safety training completion. “These tools allow us to identify and address safety issues promptly, ensuring a safer working environment for everyone on site,” he adds.
A native of Ghatal, Paschim Medinipur in West Bengal, Sudip is married to Sujata. They are blessed with a baby boy, 6‑monthold Aniruddha, the apple of their eyes. When he isn’t too busy driving Safety at his sites, Sudip enjoys reading books and watching cricket.
“Being an L&T‑ite is a matter of pride, with the opportunity to be involved in projects that shape the skyline, enhance infrastructure, and directly contribute to the growth and development of our country and communities,” Sudip remarks with a thumbs-up as he signs off.
SUCCESS DEPENDS ON THE
RIGHT MAN FOR THE RIGHT JOB
Kari Bhaskararao
Senior Engineer (Mech), WET IC
Having built his career focused on safety, quality, and effective project execution, if there is one thing Kari Bhaskararao is certain of, it is that the right man for the right job guarantees success at project sites, that ensures both safety and quality. Currently, as Site In-charge for the Boudh Water Supply Project, he is following his dictum of matching workmen to tasks based on their skills to mitigate incidents and improve work quality.
Kari has had an extended run with L&T starting off as a DET at the Godavari Drinking Water Supply Project, in Telangana’s Siddipet district, followed by two stints as Site Engineer for the O&M job at the Sri Satya Sai Drinking Water Supply Project, in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district and the Improvement Water Supply to Greater Berhampur, in Odisha’s Berhampur district before taking up his present assignment.
He has learnt the hard way that a construction job is not without challenges. “Working in tough hot conditions and in areas with poor mobile network coverage calls for innovative solutions and robust safety protocols. During summer, heat strokes are a major hazard,” he says, citing an incident when a workman collapsed due to heat stroke. “Another worker responded quickly and performed CPR, to save him.”
Kari credits his success to the unwavering support and guidance from his seniors to implement safety protocols and learning Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). “It is because of them that I have been able to ensure 100% safety at the site,” he acknowledges. Digitalization helps him too, like the ViewEHS app that helps him monitor all safety concerns before starting any work. “It assists to identify observations that need rectification and to give pep talks to workers about these observations,” he points out.
“I’m proud to be an L&T‑ite,” he gushes, “where I have had the opportunity to learn about safety and quality standards and enjoyed the exceptional support from my Project Managers to execute my work smoothly, following management guidelines.”
Hailing from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Kari enjoys a fulfilling family life with his wife Revathi, a homemaker, spending his free time watching cricket that he cherishes passionately. Among his life’s more memorable moments are receiving his job offer from L&T and his wedding day.
LEARNING THE ROPES WITH L&T
Sudam Mandal
Diploma Engineer Trainee, WET IC
Young Sudam Mandal is just taking his first baby steps with L&T as a DET at his first project, WET IC’s Khordha Water Supply Project. “The most memorable moment of my life thus far was when I was selected to work at L&T Construction and thus far my experience has been great,” says Sudam, unable to contain his excitement. “Not only am I proud to be a part of L&T but I am also proud of L&T’s Safety Policy and our whole commitment to achieving Mission Zero Harm.”
Even as he is learning the ropes, Sudam understands that the biggest hurdles to achieving Mission Zero Harm is the lack of awareness and negligence of workers regarding safety. Thus far, however, he has been doing his best to address this issue and make workers aware of the need to follow safety and is being appreciated for his efforts.
He has already been introduced to the benefits of digitalization and says, “the digital App, View EHS helps us a lot in preparing and maintaining proper documentation.”
Hailing for Pashim Medinapur, West Bengal, Sudam is yet single and, like a true Bengali, loves to listen to music during his free time.
It is still early days for Sudam as he strives to build his career block by block with L&T, we wish him all the very best that he is able to make a difference to our collective efforts to drive Safety.