Kochi: The Kochi Metro Officers’ Association (KMOA) has urged the Kerala government to appoint a serving IAS officer with experience in infrastructure projects as the next Managing Director (MD) of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), citing the agency’s expanding responsibilities and the need for effective coordination with multiple stakeholders.
The association has written to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, stressing that the appointment of a serving IAS officer with relevant infrastructure experience would help ensure better coordination between KMRL and the State and Central governments, district administrations, local bodies, government departments, funding agencies and other stakeholders.
According to KMOA, such an appointment would also help KMRL evolve further into a model urban mobility institution in the country.
KMRL at Critical Juncture, Says Officers’ Association
The demand comes at a time when KMRL is handling an expanding portfolio of metro and urban mobility projects across Kerala and beyond.
The association made its representation as Loknath Behera’s tenure as KMRL Managing Director concluded on August 30, following which District Collector G Priyanka was given temporary charge of the post.
KMOA said the agency is currently at a critical juncture, with several metro and urban mobility projects either under execution or at various stages of planning and preparation.
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At the same time, public expectations surrounding KMRL’s role in Kerala’s urban transport system have been increasing, making continuity and effective institutional coordination particularly important, the association said.
KMOA Opposes Appointment of Retired Officials
The representation has also come amid discussions over who should be appointed as the next KMRL Managing Director, with several names reportedly doing the rounds.
KMOA has maintained that the post should preferably not be given to a retired IAS or IPS officer. The association has argued in favour of a serving officer, stating that those currently in service and holding administrative responsibilities would be better positioned to deliver effectively in the role.
The association believes that a serving IAS officer would be able to coordinate more effectively with various levels of government and administrative institutions while dealing with the increasingly complex responsibilities being handled by KMRL.
IAS Officers Have Led KMRL Since Its Inception
Highlighting KMRL’s institutional history, KMOA pointed to the role played by IAS officers in leading the organisation since its inception.
The association said the leadership provided by IAS officers, along with the expertise of technocrats, has helped KMRL establish itself as a major public infrastructure organisation.
It therefore stressed that the next MD should have substantial administrative experience as well as exposure to infrastructure projects.
According to KMOA, the MD’s responsibilities now extend well beyond the conventional functioning of a metro rail company.
The officer heading KMRL has to coordinate with the Union and State governments, district administrations, government departments, local self-government institutions, national and international funding agencies and infrastructure bodies, among several other stakeholders.
In this context, the association has specifically sought a serving IAS officer with extensive experience in infrastructure-related projects.
KMRL Has Evolved Beyond a Conventional Metro Rail Company
KMOA noted that KMRL was originally constituted as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the execution, operation and maintenance of the Kochi Metro project.
Over the years, however, its role has expanded substantially.
The agency has now evolved into Kerala’s nodal metro rail administration and an integrated urban mobility agency, taking up projects and responsibilities extending beyond the original Kochi Metro system.
Its expanding mandate, the association said, requires leadership capable of managing multiple infrastructure projects while maintaining coordination with government institutions, funding agencies and local bodies.
Kochi Metro Phase I Operational, Phase II Under Execution
KMRL is currently responsible for the operation and maintenance of Phase I of Kochi Metro, while Phase II is under execution.
The agency is simultaneously involved in several other major urban transport initiatives.
KMRL is implementing the Kochi Water Metro project, which has added another major dimension to its role in the city’s integrated public transport system.
It is also undertaking planning and preparatory activities for the Thiruvananthapuram Metro project.
In addition, KMRL is involved in planning for Phase III of Kochi Metro as well as the Calicut Metro project.
The association cited this expanding portfolio as one of the key reasons why the next MD should possess extensive experience in infrastructure development and public administration.
KMRL Preparing Water Metro DPRs for 20 Cities
KMRL’s responsibilities also extend beyond Kerala.
The agency has been entrusted with preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for water metro systems in 20 cities across the country.
This assignment has further expanded KMRL’s role in the urban mobility sector and reflects the growing recognition of its experience in water-based public transportation.
Alongside metro and water metro projects, the agency also operates feeder transport services and is involved in transit-oriented development projects.
Among these is the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) in Kochi, another initiative that combines urban regeneration with transport and water-based mobility.
Expanding Portfolio Requires Experienced Leadership
KMOA said the growing range of responsibilities has transformed KMRL from a conventional metro rail company into an integrated urban mobility agency.
The organisation is supported by a skilled workforce comprising engineers from multiple disciplines, with technical expertise required to execute and manage its diverse projects.
Against this backdrop, the officers’ association believes that the Managing Director should bring both administrative authority and infrastructure-sector experience to the position.
It has therefore called for the appointment of a serving IAS officer who can provide continuity, coordinate with different levels of government and institutions, and guide KMRL through its expanding project portfolio.
M Beena Emerges as Frontrunner
Meanwhile, several names are reportedly being discussed for the KMRL MD post.
M Beena, who is currently on central deputation and is expected to return to Kerala by October, is learnt to be the frontrunner for the position, according to sources.
Her possible appointment is being discussed as the government considers a successor to Loknath Behera.
However, no final appointment has been announced so far.
Other Names Doing the Rounds
Besides M Beena, the names of retired IPS officers Nitin Agarwal and K Padmakumar and IAS officer Jiji Thomson are also among those reportedly being considered for the post.
The name of retired IAS officer Biju Prabhakar had also emerged earlier in connection with the appointment.
However, Biju Prabhakar has ruled himself out of consideration, saying that he had already informed the government of his decision not to take up any positions.
The ongoing discussions have thus brought renewed focus on the nature of leadership KMRL requires as its responsibilities continue to expand.
KMOA Pushes for Continuity and Better Coordination
With KMRL simultaneously managing metro operations, executing new metro infrastructure, implementing water transport initiatives and undertaking planning and consultancy-related responsibilities, KMOA has emphasised the need for an experienced serving officer at the helm.
The association believes that appointing a serving IAS officer with infrastructure experience would strengthen coordination between KMRL and the various government and institutional stakeholders involved in its projects.
For KMOA, the issue is not merely about filling the vacancy but about ensuring that KMRL has leadership capable of handling its transition from a metro-specific agency into a broader integrated urban mobility institution.
