Centre approves Vikas Kumar as new DMRC MD, to take charge from April 1

Kumar is currently the director (operations) at the DMRC, and worked as its executive director for several years before being appointed to the post in 2021. Kumar was selected and nominated by the selection committee formed by the Delhi government. Among the 35 candidates, including several directors of the DMRC and Indian Railways who applied for the post, 26 were shortlisted before Kumar was selected and found eligible for the top post of the DMRC. The Delhi government committee then forwarded its proposal to Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal for his approval before sending it to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Developments for a final nod.

Kumar will succeed Mangu Singh, who will be retiring from the post of DMRC MD on March 31. Singh, 66, was appointed in 2012.

According to senior government officials, Kumar has been working with the DMRC since 2005 and has managed the operations of the entire 400-km of the Delhi Metro network. “We knew that the Centre will approve Vikas Kumar for the top post. Among all the candidates interviewed, he had a lot of experience, and he has worked with the DMRC for several years. He is talented and knows every nook and cranny of the Metro — from operations to construction and administration,” said a senior government official.

After the Centre’s nod, the Delhi government said it has appointed Vikas Kumar as the DMRC MD. “The government of GNCTD is pleased to appoint Vikas Kumar as Managing Director of DMRC in accordance with terms of Article 130 of the memorandum and Article of Association of association of DMRC for a period of five years,” read the circular issued by Ashish Kundra, principal secretary cum commissioner, Transport.