New Delhi: Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has appointed Rakesh Bhalla (DIN: 07020164) as a Non-Official (Independent) Director on its Board for a three-year term.
The appointment was made by the President of India through a Ministry of Railways order dated August 13, 2026. Bhalla’s appointment is effective from the same date and will continue until August 12, 2029, unless further orders are issued earlier.
The appointment adds an experienced finance and corporate-management professional to the Board of the railway infrastructure company.
RVNL Independent Director Appointment
Key details of the appointment are:
- Appointee: Rakesh Bhalla
- DIN: 07020164
- Position: Non-Official (Independent) Director
- Effective Date: August 13, 2026
- Term: Up to August 12, 2029
- Appointed by: President of India
- Appointment order: Ministry of Railways
- Professional experience: More than 36 years
The company has confirmed that the appointment complies with applicable regulatory requirements.
Read also: RVNL Q1 FY27 Results: Net Profit Rises 19% to Rs 159.52 Crore, Revenue Grows 10.6% to Rs 4,321 Crore
Who Is Rakesh Bhalla?
Rakesh Bhalla is a seasoned finance professional and a Fellow Member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). He has more than 36 years of industry experience, with a significant part of his corporate career spent with SML Isuzu Limited, formerly known as Swaraj Mazda Limited.
During his career, Bhalla worked across several important functions, including:
- Finance and accounts
- Taxation
- Internal audit
- Information technology
- Procurement
- Vendor development
He served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) of SML Isuzu Limited until September 2025.
His experience across finance, risk management, IT, procurement and corporate management brings a diverse professional background to the RVNL Board.
Rakesh Bhalla’s Professional Background
After his corporate career, Bhalla founded RBAC Advisory Consortium Pvt. Ltd.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Chandigarh Council of ASSOCHAM and is also a member of ASSOCHAM’s National Managing Committee.
He also maintains an association with the Institute of Materials Management (IIMM).
RVNL Board Now Has Two Independent Directors
Following Bhalla’s appointment, RVNL’s Board now has two Independent Directors — Surender Singh and Rakesh Bhalla.
RVNL has confirmed that Bhalla:
- Is not related to any existing director of the company.
- Is not debarred from holding the office of director.
- Is not subject to any SEBI order or other applicable authority’s order preventing him from serving as a director.
His appointment adds senior finance and corporate-management expertise to the Board.
Updated RVNL Board of Directors
As of August 14, 2026, RVNL’s Board comprises:
- Saleem Ahmad – Chairman & Managing Director
- Anupam Ban – Director (Personnel)
- Mritunjay Pratap Singh – Director (Operations)
- Amit Tandon – Director (Projects)
- Abhishek Kumar – Director (Finance)
- Naresh Chandra Karmali – Government Nominee Director
- Bhartesh Kumar Jain – Government Nominee Director
- Surender Singh – Independent Director
- Rakesh Bhalla – Independent Director
The appointment strengthens the company’s independent representation and adds extensive experience in finance, risk management and corporate operations.
Why Rakesh Bhalla’s Appointment Matters
Bhalla’s more than three decades of experience in finance, internal audit, taxation, risk management and procurement could provide additional expertise to RVNL’s Board.
His previous roles as CFO and CRO also give him significant experience in financial oversight and enterprise risk management, which are important for a large infrastructure company managing multiple projects.
The appointment is therefore expected to bring a broader financial and corporate perspective to RVNL’s Board-level decision-making.
About Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) is a government-owned public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways. The company is engaged in developing and executing rail infrastructure projects, including new railway lines, doubling, electrification, major bridges, workshops and other railway-related infrastructure. RVNL operates primarily in the development of rail infrastructure segment and undertakes projects for Indian Railways and other entities.
Read also: RVNL Secures ₹358.97 Crore East Central Railway Order for Doubling of 41 Km Sitamarhi-Raxaul Section
