Noida: The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has removed its Executive Director, IAS officer Mahendra Prasad, following a controversy surrounding the corporation’s 2026 calendar, which featured personal photographs of senior officers. The decision has been officially described as a routine administrative reshuffle taken in the interest of work, though sources indicate that the calendar controversy was the primary trigger behind the move.
Mahendra Prasad, a 2014-batch IAS officer, has now been placed on the waiting list and continues to serve as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Noida Authority.
Krishna Karunesh Appointed as New Executive Director
Following Prasad’s removal, Krishna Karunesh, Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACE) of the Noida Authority, has been appointed as the new Executive Director of NMRC. He will hold this charge in addition to his existing responsibilities in the Noida Authority.
Although authority officials have termed the change a routine reshuffle, the timing of the decision—amid mounting criticism over the calendar—has raised questions.
Read also: Noida Metro’s 2026 Calendar Features IAS Officers’ Photos; MD Issues Show-Cause Notice
The Calendar That Sparked the Controversy
The controversy revolves around the NMRC calendar for the year 2026, which allegedly featured two photographs each of:
- Dr. Lokesh M., Managing Director (MD) of NMRC and CEO of Noida Authority
- Mahendra Prasad, then Executive Director of NMRC
Notably, the calendar did not include photographs or names of the President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Ministers, or any other public representatives, which further fueled criticism.
Birthday Pages Featured Officers’ Photographs
According to officials, the photographs were strategically placed on pages corresponding to the birth months of the officers:
April Page:
- Two photographs of Dr. Lokesh M. (2005-batch IAS officer)
- One image shows him playing the sitar
- Another shows him addressing a meeting
His birthday falls on April 3
July Page:
Two photographs of Mahendra Prasad
- One image shows him walking in the corridor of the NMRC office in Sector-29
- Another depicts him addressing a meeting
His birthday is on July 5
Sources said the presence of these images, particularly in the absence of constitutional authorities’ photographs, was viewed as inappropriate.
Calendar Printed Without Approval, Officials Claim
After questions were raised, NMRC officials stated that the calendar was printed without the knowledge or approval of the competent authority.
MD Dr. Lokesh M. clarified that he had not granted permission for the inclusion of photographs and has sought explanations from the concerned officials.
A show-cause notice has been issued, and the printing and circulation of the calendar has been stopped.
Calendar Sent to Government and Ministry
According to sources, copies of the controversial calendar were sent to both the state government and the concerned central ministry, escalating the matter further.
NMRC is a joint venture of the Central and Uttar Pradesh governments. At the central level, projects are approved by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, while at the state level approvals are granted by the Industrial Development Department and the state cabinet.
As per the established structure, the CEO of Noida Authority also serves as the Managing Director of NMRC.
Official Order Cites “Interest of Work”
The reshuffle order removing Mahendra Prasad was issued by Vandana Tripathi, ACE CEO in charge of the personnel department of the Noida Authority.
The order stated that “in the interest of the Authority’s work,” Krishna Karunesh is being appointed as Executive Director in place of OSD Mahendra Prasad.
Routine Reshuffle or Fallout of Controversy?
While officials maintain that the change is administrative, the close timing between the calendar controversy and Prasad’s removal has led to speculation that the decision was linked to the unauthorized publication.
The episode has raised broader questions about protocol, accountability, and approval mechanisms within government-backed public sector entities.
