Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs issued an order on January 10

New MD will not be assigned any other responsibilities by Karnataka govt

Full-time MD for BMRCL has been a persistent demand from mobility activists

Maheshwar Rao has been officially appointed as the full-time managing director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The ministry issued an order on January 10, specifying that the managing director will not be assigned any other responsibilities by the Karnataka government without prior consent.

The need for a full-time MD for BMRCL has been a persistent demand from mobility activists, particularly since the former MD, Anjum Parvez, assumed the role of additional chief secretary of rural development and panchayat raj last year.

This appointment is crucial as significant metro projects are underway to urgently alleviate Bengaluru’s traffic congestion, curb vehicle pollution, and enhance public transportation.

Maheshwar Rao, a 1995-batch IAS officer, has an extensive background, having served as the commissioner of industrial development and director of industries and commerce. His experience also includes roles as deputy commissioner and district magistrate in Dakshina Kannada and Mandya districts. According to his LinkedIn profile, he holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Hyderabad.

Bengaluru’s metro network, spanning 73.81 km, achieved a noteworthy milestone as BMRCL recorded a remarkable 2 crore ridership in December 2023, averaging around 6.8 lakh passengers daily and generating a fare revenue of Rs 55 crore.