BENGALURU, 27 NOV 

The Centre has approved the appointment of Lakshman Singh, an officer of the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE), as the Managing Director of Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Ltd (K-RIDE). This decision comes amid ongoing concerns about the slow progress of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP), primarily attributed to the lack of a technical expert leading the organisation.

Singh, currently serving as Chief General Manager (Civil) at Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), will take on the new role on a deputation basis, retaining his current salary and receiving a deputation allowance. His term is set for three years from the date he assumes charge.

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya advocated for this appointment, emphasising the need for an expert in the field. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that the BSRP would be completed in 40 months from its foundation stone laying in June 2022, the project remains significantly behind schedule, with a deadline now set by Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil for December 2027.

With Singh's appointment, officials express optimism that the project will gain momentum, following serious roadblocks including a stalled land acquisition process and the termination of contracts by Larsen and Toubro for key project corridors.