Rakesh Goyal Vice Chairman Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA)

Having joined the Indian Railway Service of Engineers in 1983 after Post Graduation M.Sc.(Structures)(Hons.) from Punjab University, I held many positions in Railways/Railway Board including responsibility for maintenance of tracks for running high speed trains like Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains on important routes of Delhi-Howrah & Delhi–Chandigarh. In addition, assignments included construction of new railway tracks, doubling of railway tracks, construction of road over bridges/multi storeyed flats, large industrial sheds involving detailed planning, execution & commissioning were undertaken over a period of time. Being Director (Public Sector Undertakings) in Ministry of Railways for four years provided me opportunity to oversee the working of nine railway PSUs while assisting in the growth of these PSUs. Leading a team of 1000 plus supervisors with a workforce of about 20,000 staff for running of trains in most difficult area of the country, perhaps in Asia, was a unique experience while holding the position of Divisional Railway Manager, Lumding Division, Northeast Frontier Railway. As Chief Track Engineer, Northern Railway for over two years, the upkeep of railway tracks for safe train operations for short term and long term requirements involving expenditure of over Rs.2000 crore per annum was a tough challenge. As Adviser (Bridges) Railway Board,I was able to contribute in elimination of unmanned level crossings, constructions of road over bridges(ROBs) apart from giving clearance of running higher axle loads on existing tracks on important routes in the country. The current role of Vice Chairman in RLDA since 2016 has provided me opportunity and challenge to realise most important task of Honourable Minister of Railways for monetisation of railway land to generate non-tariff revenue. During 2017-18, RLDA will be bringing out projects all over the country generating an approximate revenue of Rs.10,000crores. Projects of high value are likely to be invited soon are located in Delhi Sarai Rohilla (total area 15.27 Ha.) for residential development, Ashok Vihar(Delhi)(total area 13.26 Ha.) for residential development and Banda (Mumbai)(total area 4.3 Ha.) on Western Expressway for commercial development.