Anil Kumar Khandelwal assumes charge as Member-Infrastructure, Railway Board

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): In a significant development for the Indian Railways, Anil Kumar Khandelwal, the seasoned General Manager of East Central Railway, officially assumed the position of Member Infrastructure, Railway Board, and Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Railways on February 20, 2024.

Anil Kumar Khandelwal, a 1987 batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Engineers, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from MNIT, Jaipur, and an M.Tech from IIT, Roorkee, he has spent over 35 years contributing to the construction and maintenance of the Indian Railways' infrastructure.

Throughout his distinguished career, Khandelwal has overseen and delivered numerous crucial railway construction projects, showcasing his leadership and expertise. His journey began in the challenging Naxalite area of South Central Railway as Assistant Engineer/Bellampalli, and he went on to hold key roles in SCR, Southern Railway, Railway Board, Northern Railway, USBRL Project, and again in Railway Board before his role as General Manager/East Central Railway.

Notably, Khandelwal served as the Chief Administrative Officer/Construction for the prestigious USBRL Project, where he played a crucial role in the construction of the world's highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge. His tenure as Executive Director/Track Machines at the Railway Board witnessed significant contributions to the 'Make in India' initiative, transforming India from a track machine importer to an exporter.

During his tenure as Executive Director/Non-Fare Revenue, Railway Board, Khandelwal achieved a remarkable milestone by realizing the highest-ever Non-Fare Revenue of Rs 10,368 Cr. (6.2% of the total revenue) in 2016-17. His strategic leadership was further evident when he became the first Principal Executive Director of the Gati Shakti Directorate, Railway Board. In this role, he broke down departmental silos, fostering collaboration and achieving record-breaking performance in project sanctioning and delivery.

Khandelwal's leadership extends beyond railway tracks; he has a background in sports, having played basketball at the state level. As the President of Sports for Northern Railway, he led the team to win the prestigious Kaul's Gold Cup for the best sports performance in 2021-22, marking a historic achievement for the Northern Railway.

His commitment to continuous learning is evident through his participation in strategic management programs at INSEAD, Singapore, ICLIF, Malaysia in 2007, and the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. He is also a distinguished fellow and life member of several prestigious institutions.

As Anil Kumar Khandelwal takes the helm as Member Infrastructure, Railway Board, his rich legacy, strategic acumen, and commitment to excellence signal a promising era for the Indian Railways. The focus on collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development is set to shape the future of rail infrastructure in the country under his leadership.