New Metro Chief Takes Charge Amid Push to Meet Yellow Line Deadline
In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Karnataka government has appointed IAS officer J Ravishankar (2001 batch) as the new Managing Director (MD) of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). He takes over from M Maheshwar Rao, who had been holding the position as an additional charge since April, after becoming BBMP Chief Commissioner.
This leadership transition comes at a crucial time for Namma Metro, which is gearing up for its most ambitious expansion to date—covering the long-delayed Yellow Line, as well as the upcoming Pink and Blue Line extensions, and the planned Orange Line tenders.
From Dentist to Metro Chief: The Journey of J Ravishankar
Ravishankar, who turns 55 on August 5, holds a degree in dental surgery and brings with him a wealth of administrative experience. Before this appointment, he was serving as Secretary in the Agriculture Department.
His previous key roles include:
Excise Commissioner
Secretary in Housing, Planning, Statistics, and Urban Administration
Deputy Commissioner in Raichur, Mandya, Kolar, and Belagavi districts
Namma Metro Enters a New Phase
Ravishankar assumes leadership at a time when Bengaluru’s metro network is undergoing a significant transformation:
Yellow Line (RV Road–Bommasandra): This much-delayed line is now expected to open by August 2025.
Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara–Nagawara) and Blue Line (Central Silk Board–KR Puram) require acceleration in construction.
Orange Line (Hebbal–Sarjapur) tenders are anticipated to be floated soon.
These projects are critical to improving city-wide connectivity and alleviating Bengaluru’s persistent traffic congestion.
Maheshwar Rao’s Brief but Impactful Tenure
Outgoing MD M Maheshwar Rao served for around 18 months. During his tenure:
The 3.14 km Green Line extension to Madavara was inaugurated
Train supply issues for the Yellow Line were resolved
Initiatives were launched to boost non-fare revenue
Oversaw the first fare hike in 8 years
Rao’s tenure was widely appreciated for sharpening focus on project timelines and financial diversification, setting the stage for the next phase of Namma Metro’s development.
