New K-RIDE MD inherits stalled works, contractor exits and serious graft allegations

Lakshman Singh, a senior Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer and one of the architects of Bengaluru’s original suburban rail blueprint, has taken charge as the full-time Managing Director of K-RIDE — stepping in at a time when the agency is confronted by deep delays, a major contractor walk-out and serious corruption allegations centred on its finance section.

Even before tackling engineering setbacks, Singh inherits a growing cloud of corruption allegations that contractors say has crippled confidence in the institution.

Several firms working on K-RIDE-linked projects have complained — both in meetings and informal industry forums — that officials in the finance section are allegedly demanding payments well beyond standard facilitation norms to clear legitimate bills.

These allegations, circulating for months, have been a major deterrent for large contractors, who cite “unpredictable and non-standard payment practices” as a key reason for reluctance to take up or continue with K-RIDE work.

While no formal investigation has publicly named individuals so far, the persistence of these complaints has created a serious reputational crisis for the organisation.

blrpost.com plans to expose the name of the individual when the formal complaint is lodged

Singh, who currently holds vigilance powers until a dedicated Chief Vigilance Officer is appointed, is expected to prioritise cleaning up financial processes through end-to-end e-billing, audit trails, and clearer separation between project, finance and vigilance units.

A technocrat brought in to stabilise a drifting project

Singh has held multiple infrastructure-focused roles within Indian Railways and BMRCL. His appointment is widely seen as an attempt to bring back technical discipline and management clarity at a time when execution has slowed sharply.

A heavy project pipeline

K-RIDE’s responsibilities cover some of Karnataka’s most crucial transport investments:

Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP)

The 148–160 km, four-corridor suburban rail network is running significantly behind schedule. Nearly the entire 40-month timeline announced during the 2022 foundation has elapsed with limited physical progress.

The most severe setback: L&T’s high-profile exit from major civil packages on Corridor-2 after disputes over land availability, contract clauses and payment delays. K-RIDE has now re-tendered the work in multiple packages, including: a 7.8 km elevated double-decker viaduct, an 11.6 km at-grade stretch, and a 5.8 km segment near Yeshwanthpur.

K-RIDE is simultaneously handling:

Yeshwanthpur–Channasandra Doubling (≈21.7 km) Baiyyappanahalli–Hosur Doubling

with the Heelalige–Karmelaram stretch among the earliest taken up.

Airport corridor (planning stage)

Early-stage suburban rail connectivity to Kempegowda International Airport is also being examined.

Singh’s immediate task is stabilising a project battered by land delays, coordination lapses and contractor distrust. If he succeeds in cleaning up processes and stabilising execution, the suburban rail may finally regain the traction it has long struggled to achieve.