Mr. I P Gautam, a 1986-batch retired IAS officer, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL). He succeeded Mr. Keshav Varma, a 1976-batch IAS officer, who served as the chairman for nearly five years. Mr. Gautam took charge on Tuesday and has been appointed for a two-year term.
With over 40 years of experience in public policy, financial management, urban governance, power sector management, and infrastructure projects, Mr. Gautam brings significant expertise to his new role. His previous tenure as Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner from 2006 to 2011 saw the development of the Sabarmati Riverfront, a key project in the city. Mr. Gautam’s experience also includes serving as the Principal Secretary of Urban Development, Housing, Ports, and Transport Departments from 2011 to 2013, as well as managing the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation as its Managing Director from 2013 to 2019.
Before taking over as SRFDCL Chairman, Mr. Gautam was a member of the Lokpal of India in Delhi for over four years, until April 2023. His new role is particularly significant as the Sabarmati Riverfront enters an important expansion phase that will extend the development towards Gandhinagar. His extensive background in project management, techno-legal expertise, and managing large-scale infrastructure projects will be vital in steering the riverfront’s future growth. Additionally, Mr. Gautam heads the High-Level Committee on Urban Planning set up by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
