In a significant development, Namma Metro is set to be led by a full-time Managing Director after nearly six months. Maheshwar Rao M, a seasoned Karnataka-cadre IAS officer from the 1995 batch, has been appointed as the Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) by the state government, effective Thursday. Mr. Rao steps into the role, succeeding Anjum Parwez, an IAS officer from the 1994 batch, who successfully led the BMRCL since July 2021.

Under Parwez’s leadership, the Bengaluru metro network witnessed substantial growth, expanding from 48 kilometers to an impressive 74 kilometers, solidifying its position as the second-largest metro network in India. Last year, the state government entrusted Mr. Parwez with the responsibility of Principal Secretary of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

A distinguished alumnus of Nizam College in Hyderabad with a BA in Mathematics, Economics, and Statistics, and an MA in Economics from the University of Hyderabad, Mr. Rao brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His previous roles in the Karnataka government include serving as Commissioner of Industrial Development, Director of Industries and Commerce, and Principal Secretary of Labour.

In 2020, Mr. Rao took on the role of Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor at the Department of Space in Bengaluru, earning a subsequent promotion to Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor two years later. The Union government repatriated him to the Karnataka cadre in December 2023.

Given that Namma Metro operates as a joint venture between the state and union governments, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has mandated that the full-time Managing Director may only be removed or transferred with the prior agreement of the Government of India. Furthermore, any additional assignments by the Karnataka government require approval from the ministry.

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Mr. Rao faces a challenging but exciting year ahead, as Namma Metro plans to inaugurate the Yellow Line (RV Road-Bommasandra) and the northern extension of the Green Line. Two more lines, the Pink Link (Kalena Agrahara-Nagavara) and the Blue Line (Silk Board-Airport), are currently under construction. The BMRCL is also actively working on expanding the network through Phases 3, 3A, and 4.

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