Gajendra Haldea (1949-2021): Guru for a generation of infra project administrators

In an administrative structure that punishes rather than builds up expertise in a sector, Haldea doggedly stuck to building up one, extensively writing policies and contracts for infra projects

At a time when the government plans to roll out a massive infrastructure project push in its Budget for FY22, to know that Gajendra Haldea, one of India’s most respected names in the sector, is no more, brings back memories. Haldea, who passed away on January 15 at the age of 71, is survived by his wife. 

It can be safely said that more than a generation of India’s administrators have picked up their toolkit to administer infrastructure projects from this Rajasthan-cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. In an administrative structure that punishes rather than builds up expertise in any