NCRTC Chief Vinay Kumar Singh resigns from the post of Managing Director

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a recent development, one of the country's leading experts in infrastructure planning, implementation, and regional mobility, Vinay Kumar Singh, has abruptly resigned from his position. Singh, a 1988 batch IRSE officer, served as the Managing Director of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). He reportedly tendered his resignation citing personal reasons.

Sources confirmed that Vinay Kumar Singh submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on March 15. However, acceptance of his resignation from the Ministry is not yet confirmed.

"On March 16, 2024, Shri Vinay Kumar Singh, our revered Managing Director, made a heartfelt announcement to the team. He revealed that he is moving on from his pivotal role at NCRTC. Under Shri Singh's visionary leadership, NCRTC underwent transformative growth, established a legacy of resilience and innovation, and gave shape to the country’s first RRTS project," said a statement shared by NCRTC.

Mr. Singh had also called a meeting with senior offiocials of NCRTC and confirmed his resignation while addresssing them today. Below is an excerpt from his address to team NCRTC:-

"Dear Friends,

Today, I want to share an important update with all of you, as straightforwardly as I can.

Firstly, the news about my resignation is true.

I am leaving happy and satisfied. My journey, inspired by the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat and NCRTC’s motto “Gati se Pragati”, has been remarkable. We’ve achieved a lot together, starting as the only employee of the corporation about 7 years back, now we are a team of 400 specialists, each expert in his/her own domain. All of us are working towards expanding the Namo Bharat network in the National Capital Region (NCR).

We have deployed cutting-edge technologies across all aspects of working of NCRTC making our office nearly paperless—a rare feat in public sector organizations. Technologies such as Common Data Environment (CDE), Building Information Modelling (BIM), SPEED (Project Monitoring software), GATI APP, e-file, SAP, and i-DREAMS (Asset management system) have been our tools in project implementation. Today NCRTC is renowned in the industry for its agility, transparency, technical & managerial prowess, and for our accomplishments.

Our selection of advanced technologies for RRTS implementation includes:
a) Extensive pre-casting,
b) Pioneered low maintenance pre-cast slab track installation in India for 180 kmph,
c) High-speed overhead equipment,
d) Lightweight high performance rolling stock capable of 180 kmph speed,
e) LTE telecommunication backbone using the 700 MHz spectrum, and
f) Installation of advanced ETCS Level II signalling system for the first time in the world.

Additionally, we have introduced interoperability among the RRTS corridors, extensive multi modal integration, sharing infrastructure between metro and RRTS in Meerut, and transformational initiatives like relocating the Bhainsali Bus Adda in Meerut and introducing two directional bus adda with seamless metro connectivity.

Looking ahead, the addition of seamless connectivity of Jewar airport will expand RRTS network significantly creating a network of public transit networks with RRTS as its backbone. Our focus on Transit Oriented Development (TOD), working with the State Governments of Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi and the proactive support in approval of Meerut’s Master Plan aligning with TOD principles are remarkable achievements for an organisation as young as NCRTC. Commissioning of the 34 km Delhi Meerut corridor within 4.5 years has been commendable and acknowledged not only in the country but also globally. The balance project is in state of readiness for commissioning in next 6 months, which is 9 months ahead of the target.

Our efforts have been recognized and to our joy and pride Stage I and Stage II were inaugurated by none other than the Honourable Prime Minister himself. He has been kind in appreciating NCRTC’s innovations and admired the world class RRTS infrastructure including the speed and low-noise ride. The deployment of women train operators and station controllers numbered more than 50% of the total strength has been widely celebrated.

Together we have brought a paradigm shift in the field of operations and maintenance with introduction of two very innovative operating models. First, the 12-year comprehensive contract for O&M of RRTS and second, the 15-year maintenance of rolling stock awarded to the OEM. Now the same procurement methodology is being followed by Indian Railways and various metro corporations. The industry is looking towards NCRTC for setting more such benchmarks. And therefore, we have a responsibility to ensure that these partnerships are successfully aimed at delivering better experiences for the commuters.

The approval of both the next RRTS corridors i.e. Delhi-SNB and Delhi-Panipat by the participating State Governments, release of funds by them and the support from various funding agencies speak volumes about our commitment and the trust placed in us by all our stakeholders.

As I step down, I see a bright future for NCRTC, with endless opportunities for growth, innovation, and collaboration. Business development, partnerships, and our achievements till now are just the beginning. My heart is full of gratitude for the consistent support from all the Governments and all of you.

Change is inevitable, but I am confident it brings good. I leave NCRTC contented, knowing that the foundation we’ve built together is strong and that the future is bright. I am always here for you, ready to support both professionally and personally. Let’s continue to serve our nation with pride and dedication.

Wishing you all the best in continuing our shared mission of building a New India."

NCRTC is responsible for implementing the three corridors of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in the National Capital Region (NCR) zone. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently flagged off the two sections comprising a total network of 34 kilometers of the Delhi-Merut RRTS Corridor (Also known as Namo Bharat).

Vinay Kumar Singh had been serving as MD of NCRTC since February 2016. Prior to his tenure at NCRTC, he held the position of CEO at the High-Speed Rail Corporation, a subsidiary of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd.