Susheel Bhardwaj
Susheel Bhardwaj is an Indian entrepreneur, civil engineer, and the Founder and Managing Director of CivilMantra, a leading infrastructure consultancy firm known for pioneering the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT) in civil infrastructure design and management. Under his leadership, CivilMantra has grown into a major player in India’s infrastructure landscape, employing over 1,000 professionals and indirectly supporting more than 2,000–2,500 families.
Bhardwaj is recognized for his efforts to transform India’s largely unorganized infrastructure sector into a structured, technology-driven, and scalable enterprise. His work combines engineering excellence with digital innovation, setting new standards in sustainable and intelligent infrastructure development.
Early Career and Inspiration
Susheel Bhardwaj began his professional journey working onsite, where he gained firsthand experience in the dynamics of India’s rapidly expanding infrastructure sector. During this period, he observed a growing government focus on modernization and sustainable development, which inspired him to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress.
Recognizing the potential to bring structure and innovation to an industry that had long operated in a fragmented manner, Bhardwaj envisioned creating a platform that would blend engineering expertise with cutting-edge technology. This vision became the foundation of CivilMantra, which has since evolved into one of India’s most dynamic and forward-looking infrastructure consultancies.
His guiding principles—commitment, consistency, and excellence in service—remain at the heart of his leadership philosophy. Bhardwaj believes in consistently showing up, putting in the effort, and focusing on meaningful outcomes that contribute to long-term national development.
Establishment and Growth of CivilMantra
Founded with a small yet passionate team, CivilMantra began its journey in pre-bid engineering, gradually diversifying into specialized areas of infrastructure consultancy. Under Bhardwaj’s leadership, the company expanded its portfolio to include structural design, tunnel engineering, project management, and digital infrastructure solutions.
Over time, CivilMantra developed a strong tunnel design division and played a pivotal role in several landmark infrastructure projects across India. The firm’s work has been widely recognized for its technical precision, innovation, and quality standards.
Within just eight years, CivilMantra achieved Indicorn status—a recognition of its rapid yet sustainable growth. The strategic acquisition of Saptagon Asia Pvt. Ltd. (formerly G-Engineering Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd.) further enhanced its operational capabilities and market presence, enabling the company to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end consultancy solutions.
Today, CivilMantra is widely regarded as a symbol of innovation, collaboration, and engineering excellence, representing how a visionary idea can evolve into a trusted brand shaping the future of modern infrastructure.
Innovation and Technological Integration
One of Bhardwaj’s most notable contributions to the industry has been his pioneering integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT) into civil infrastructure consultancy—a first-of-its-kind initiative in the sector.
Under his direction, CivilMantra developed One Stop Solution for All your Pre-Bid Requirements i.e. ConsultAI, a proprietary platform designed to streamline and simplify the complex processes of tender management. Additionally, the company created an in-house HRMS (Human Resource Management System) to enhance workforce efficiency and improve operational workflows.
By embedding AI-driven design, project monitoring, and decision-making systems into large-scale infrastructure projects, Bhardwaj revolutionized traditional practices that were once heavily manual and fragmented. His digital transformation strategy has improved project timelines, accuracy, and real-time collaboration—ultimately bringing transparency, scalability, and intelligence to India’s infrastructure ecosystem.
These innovations have set new industry benchmarks, demonstrating how technology can amplify engineering precision and sustainability.
Challenges and Strategic Solutions
Like many entrepreneurs, Bhardwaj encountered significant challenges on his path to success. One of the most pressing issues CivilMantra faced was high employee turnover, particularly among trained professionals.
To address this, Bhardwaj introduced a long-term growth and reward program within the organization. Employees completing three years of service became eligible for enhanced benefits and leadership roles, while those completing five years gained management-level privileges.
This initiative fostered a sense of loyalty, ownership, and long-term commitment among team members, effectively transforming CivilMantra into a “family” of dedicated professionals united by a shared mission and vision.
Vision for the Future
Susheel Bhardwaj envisions a future where infrastructure consultancy is fully empowered by artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making. His goal is to position CivilMantra as the first consultancy firm in India to implement AI-led project intelligence through ConsultAI.
Looking ahead, CivilMantra aims to expand into new-age sectors such as ropeways and urban infrastructure, catering to the mobility and connectivity needs of rapidly developing cities. The company’s upcoming initiatives focus on green, resilient, and human-centric infrastructure, aligning with India’s broader sustainable development goals.
Through a blend of AI innovation, sustainable engineering practices, and global project delivery, Bhardwaj aims to establish CivilMantra as a global benchmark for smart, fast, and environmentally responsible consultancy.
Philosophy and Advice
Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Bhardwaj has remained a strong advocate for continuous learning and fearless experimentation. He emphasizes that success in infrastructure and consultancy stems from innovation, agility, and reflection.
At CivilMantra, this philosophy has shaped a culture where every experiment—whether successful or not—becomes a source of learning and growth. Bhardwaj encourages aspiring professionals to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and stay curious.
He believes that India’s infrastructure sector offers vast untapped opportunities, and progress depends on those willing to think differently and act decisively. His advice is simple yet powerful:
“Experiment rapidly, learn continuously, and never let the fear of failure stop you. True growth comes not from perfection, but from the courage to adapt and evolve.”
== In essence, Susheel Bhardwaj’s journey is a story of vision, innovation, and impact a testament to how engineering excellence and technological foresight can together build not just infrastructure, but the foundation of a smarter and more sustainable future for India.