Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced the appointment of IAS Officer Maheshwar Rao as the new Managing Director, effective immediately.

Rao will assume responsibilities from Anjum Parvez, who is now serving as the full-time Additional Chief Secretary (CS) of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR), as appointed by the state government in 2023.

In his new role, Rao brings over 15 years of industry expertise. He will lead BMRCL’s efforts to decongest Bengaluru traffic, reduce vehicle pollution, and enhance public transport.

In his previous roles, Rao served as the Commissioner of Industrial Development and Director of Industries & Commerce for the Department of Industries and Commerce. He also held the position of Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate for the state government, overseeing all administrative functions of Dakshina Kannada and Mandya districts.

On the academic front, Rao, a 1995-batch IAS officer, holds a BA in Mathematics, Economics, and Statistics from Nizam College, Hyderabad Central University, a Master's degree in Economics (Econometrics and Growth) from the University of Hyderabad, and a Master’s degree in Public Management from NUS & Harvard University.

The official notification published via regional newspapers stated, “Shri M Maheshwar Rao, IAS, assumed charge as Managing Director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited today (12.01.2024). Prior to this, he held the position of Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Department of Space, Bengaluru. Sri M. Maheshwar Rao holds a BA in Mathematics, Economics, and Statistics from Nizam College, Hyderabad Central University, a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Hyderabad, and a Master’s in Public Management from NUS & Harvard University. He held several positions in the Karnataka Government, serving as Deputy Commissioner in Mandya, Mangalore, Belagavi, and Hassan. He also worked as Managing Director of Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation and Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. He was also the Principal Secretary, Labour and Employment, Information & Public Relations, Industry & Commerce Department, Government of Karnataka.”

Rao will drive the growth and expansion of BMRCL, which recently achieved over 2 crore ridership and generated a revenue of INR 55 crore. He will oversee the further development of metro lines across the state, as approved for phase 3A and 3B.”