Interview Times 
FEATURE: Infrastructure is more than just roads and bridges; it is the backbone of a nation’s progress, connecting people, industries, and opportunities. Behind every ambitious development project, there are visionaries who turn blueprints into reality. One such changemaker is Sh. Sunil Kumar, a distinguished civil engineer whose contributions have redefined Odisha’s highway networks. From his modest beginnings in Bihar to becoming a key player in shaping the state’s infrastructure landscape, his journey is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and an unshakable commitment to nation-building.
Born on June 6, 1981, in a village in Bihar, Sh. Sunil Kumar’s formative years were shaped by perseverance and an unyielding drive to succeed. His schooling began at a residential school in Jehanabad district, and he later joined Sainik School, Jhumari Tilaiya (now in Jharkhand) in 1991. Excelling academically, he qualified for both medical and engineering entrance exams but chose engineering on the advice of his seniors and parents. He pursued civil engineering at NIT Rourkela in 1998, despite securing a place at IIT Kharagpur.
The vision of my grandfather played a crucial role in shaping my future. He sent me to a residential school in Jehanabad as there was no school in my village. This decision allowed me to experience the world beyond my village and broaden my perspectives.
Graduating with a first division in 2002, Sh. Sunil Kumar began his professional journey by joining the National Hydro Power Corporation in 2003. However, his ambitions extended beyond corporate engineering; he aspired to contribute to the nation’s development through public service.
In 2003, Sh. Sunil Kumar appeared for the UPSC Engineering Services Examination and qualified, marking the beginning of his career in government service. His first posting was with the Border Roads Organization (BRO) in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, where he played a crucial role in constructing highways in conflict-prone areas. After serving in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, for a year, he appeared for UPSC again in 2007 and once more emerged successful. This time, he joined the Central Engineering Services, aligning with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in 2009.
His early years in the ministry saw him working across New Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jammu under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), overseeing critical infrastructure projects that improved national connectivity.
In 2014, Sh. Sunil Kumar was transferred to NHAI’s Regional Office in Patna and later posted to Bhubaneswar as an Executive Engineer. His contributions to infrastructure development in Odisha gained him widespread recognition, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when his efforts were acknowledged by the Honorable Minister and the Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh.
Rising through the ranks, he was promoted to Superintending Engineer and later assumed the role of Regional Officer for Odisha on September 6, 2024. Currently, he oversees 3,500 kilometers of national highways with an annual budget of ₹3,500 crores, aiming to expand it to ₹5,000 crores in the next fiscal year.
Despite early aspirations to join the Indian Armed Forces, he was unable to clear the SSB interview. However, his determination led him to pursue civil engineering, inspired by his uncle, the first engineer from their village. His desire to improve the lack of infrastructure in his native village, which had no roads, electricity, or phone connectivity, motivated him to work towards national development.
Settling in Bhubaneswar with his wife, a doctor in the Bihar Government, and their two daughters, he has developed a deep bond with Odisha. His role requires tackling land acquisition hurdles, project delays, and administrative challenges, yet he remains committed to ensuring timely project execution and quality highway maintenance.
Odisha boasts 6,000 kilometers of national highways, and under his leadership, major projects are underway to improve connectivity and reduce congestion. Key projects include the Koraput bypass, which is awaiting sanction, the Sonpur bypass under consideration, the Bolangir bypass under progress, and the Rayagada and Phulbani bypasses are currently under bidding for construction. Additionally, he is leading initiatives to enhance connectivity to major tourist destinations like Puri and Akhandalamani Temple in Aradi. His vision includes upgrading single-lane highways to two-lane roads with paved shoulders within 1.5 years, with several projects already sanctioned and in progress.
A firm believer in sustainable development, Sh. Sunil Kumar ensures that all projects adhere to environmental compliance standards. His strategies include using construction materials from approved sources to minimize environmental impact, creating local job opportunities to support regional economies, upgrading weak bridges, and constructing bypasses for better traffic management. He also emphasizes implementing eco-friendly road construction techniques to reduce pollution.
His career has been defined by working in harsh terrains and conflict-prone areas. His experiences include managing extreme weather conditions in Leh and Arunachal Pradesh and handling infrastructure development in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, where Maoist threats made project execution highly challenging. Coordinating with local administrations and security forces to ensure safe project implementation has been a crucial aspect of his leadership.
His ability to lead large teams and deliver projects under difficult conditions has shaped him into a resilient and adaptable leader, capable of overcoming both environmental and logistical hurdles.
Sh. Sunil Kumar actively encourages young engineers to consider government service, emphasizing the profound impact they can have on nation-building. He highlights the freedom and responsibility that public service offers, the challenges and rewards of working in remote postings, and his own journey as a source of inspiration for students aspiring to join the UPSC and engineering services.
As he continues to drive Odisha’s infrastructure growth, Sh. Sunil Kumar remains a symbol of leadership, dedication, and innovation. He believes that strong leadership and resilience are essential for public service and that hard work in challenging conditions ultimately leads to career growth and national progress.
Through his contributions, he not only builds highways and bridges but also paves the way for a stronger, more connected India.
