Govt approves permanent absorption of NCRTC Managing Director Shalabh Goel from Indian Railways

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant leadership development for India’s regional rapid transit ecosystem, the Government of India has approved the permanent absorption of Shalabh Goel, an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer, as the Managing Director of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).

To formalise this transition, the President has accepted Goel’s technical resignation from the Ministry of Railways, effective April 24, 2026, with the officer deemed to have retired from Railway service on the same date. This clears the way for his full-time leadership role at NCRTC.

The decision follows a communication from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and comes at a critical time as NCRTC accelerates the rollout of Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) projects across the National Capital Region.

With multiple corridors under development and phased operationalisation underway, the move is expected to provide stable and dedicated leadership for long-term execution.

Extensive Rail & Metro Experience

Shalabh Goel brings a rich and diverse experience spanning Indian Railways and urban transit systems:

• Former Senior Deputy General Manager-cum-Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), Western Railway
• Experience across Central, Northern, and Western Railways
• Key roles in the Ministry of Railways and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)

Core Expertise Areas

• Railway operations and electrification
• Electric locomotive maintenance
• Energy management systems
• General administration and governance

His contributions have been recognised with several honours, including the Minister of Railways Award and General Manager Awards.

About NCRTC and RRTS Expansion

NCRTC is a joint venture of the Government of India and the states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, functioning under the administrative control of MoHUA.

Flagship Project: Delhi–Meerut RRTS

• Length: 82 km
• Significance: India’s first RRTS corridor
• Designed for high-speed, high-frequency regional connectivity

The corridor is already partially operational and represents a new paradigm in intercity commuting, bridging the gap between metro systems and conventional rail.

Strategic Importance of the Appointment

Goel’s appointment is expected to:

• Ensure continuity in project execution
• Strengthen technical and operational decision-making
• Support timely delivery of upcoming RRTS corridors
• Enhance coordination between central and state stakeholders

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said:

“Leadership continuity is critical for large-scale infrastructure programmes like RRTS. Shalabh Goel’s deep-rooted experience across railways and metro systems positions NCRTC strongly as it transitions from project execution to network expansion and operations. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for regional mobility in India.”

The permanent appointment of Shalabh Goel as NCRTC Managing Director signals a strategic strengthening of leadership at a time when India’s first RRTS corridor is moving from construction to operations.

As NCRTC prepares to expand its footprint across the NCR, this leadership transition is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of high-speed regional transit in India.