BENGALURU: After nearly 20 months, the top post in the finance department in Bangalore Metro Rail Coporation Ltd (BMRCL) has now been filled up. The appointee Deepa Kotnis has also emerged as the first woman to occupy a top managerial role in BMRCL since its incorporation as a company in September 1994.
The post of Executive Director (Finance) assumes crucial significance now with works relating to the 72.3km Phase-II taking place at a rapid pace across numerous stretches. The `26,405-crore project is also receiving funding from foreign agencies and banks following the completion of the Phase-I network.
Deepa will be one of the Directors on the BMRCL Board. All the three General Managers in the finance department will report to her.
The 1998 UPSC batch student of Indian Railway Accounts Service Officers served as Chief General Manager at Pension Fund Regulatory Authority office in New Delhi before she took on this role. She has served in the South Western Railway and Southern Railway as Deputy Finance Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer in the accounts departments.
Speaking to Express in her new office, Deepa was clearly not awed by the fact that she would be the first woman occupying such a coveted post at BMRCL. “I have worked with so many women occupying top posts in the Railways. Seeing women at the top management is common for me and I really do not feel it is an achievement to occupy this post.”
Asked about her biggest challenge, she said, “I have just completed three weeks. It is too early to comment about it.” BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola, who was holding additional charge of the role following the retirement of previous incumbent Naveen Kumar in February 2016 is relieved.