In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the government on Saturday appointed Pradeep Singh Kharola, a 1985-batch IAS officer, as managing director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), replacing N. Sivasailam, who is also of the 1985 batch.
Mr. Sivasailam’s transfer comes at a crucial time when BMRCL is gearing up to throw open Reaches 3 and 3-A of Namma Metro Phase 1 between Peenya and Sampige Road station on the north-south corridor. BMRCL has also been under fire from the public over the alignment of the proposed Namma Metro Phase 2, particularly on the stretches of Byappanahalli–Whitefield and R.V. Road terminal to Bommasandra.
Mr. Kharola had been the chairman of Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation from May this year; Mr. Sivasailam has not been given any posting.
Mr. Sivasailam was stewarding BMRCL since June 12, 2008, after the then managing director V. Madhu was abruptly transferred.
A release from BMRCL said Mr. Sivasailam relinquished charge on Saturday and Mr. Kharola will take over on Monday.
Mr. Kharola was managing director of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation when it was formed in 1997. He was also the managing director of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation. He was on Central deputation between 2001 and 2009 and on his return, he held, among others, the post of Principal Secretary to Chief Minister (Jagadish Shettar).
