New Delhi: The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended the name of Ajit Kumar Panda for the post of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Container Corporation of India Limited, a Schedule ‘A’ public sector enterprise.
The recommendation was made during PESB Meeting No. 30/2026 held on April 18, following a rigorous selection process involving multiple candidates.
Selection Process Involving Senior Officials
According to official sources, a total of eight candidates were interviewed for the top post. The panel included senior officials from CONCOR, RITES Limited, Indian Railways, and other government organisations.
Prominent candidates in the race included Harish Chandra, Principal Executive Director (Finance), Company Secretary and CFO at CONCOR; Dr. Alok Badkul, Executive Director (Cold Chain Air Cargo) and CEO of FHEL at CONCOR; and Ghalib Ahmed Jillani, Executive Director (Quality Assurance) at RITES.
The final appointment will be subject to approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Extensive Experience in Railways and Infrastructure
Currently serving as Director (Project & Services) at CONCOR, Ajit Kumar Panda brings over three decades of experience in the railways sector. He is a 1990-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME).
He holds a BE (Hons.) in Mechanical Engineering from National Institute of Technology Rourkela and an M.Tech in Thermal Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.
Key Roles Across Railway Organisations
Over the years, Panda has held several important positions across railway and infrastructure organisations. These include:
- Executive Director (Mechanical Engineering and Project Planning & Development) at Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
- Director (Production Units, Efficiency & Research) at the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board)
- Chief Workshop Manager at East Coast Railway, Mancheswar
- Multiple roles in South Eastern Railway
His career reflects deep expertise in operations, infrastructure development, rolling stock management, and public-private partnerships.
Contributions to Modernisation and Project Execution
During his tenure at RVNL, Panda played a key role in fast-track infrastructure development, including the establishment of modern factories and depots through turnkey projects.
At the Railway Board, he contributed to rolling stock modernisation initiatives, including the transition to high-horsepower locomotives and LHB coaches. He also coordinated record production levels of locomotives, coaches, and wagons.
Leadership in SPVs and Organisational Reforms
Ajit Kumar Panda has also served as Director on the boards of several special purpose vehicle (SPV) companies, including Haridaspur Paradip Railway Company Limited, Angul Sukinda Railway Limited, Kutch Railway Company Limited, and Krishnapatnam Railway Company Limited.
He is recognised for driving organisational transformation, particularly during his tenure at the Mancheswar Workshop, where he implemented reforms to enhance operational efficiency and performance.
Recognitions and Awards
In recognition of his contributions to the railway sector, Panda is a two-time recipient of the Railway Minister’s National Award for Outstanding Service, highlighting his excellence in public service and leadership.
Awaiting Final Approval
With PESB recommending his name, the final decision now rests with the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Once approved, Ajit Kumar Panda will take charge as CMD of CONCOR, leading one of India’s key logistics and container transport PSUs.
