Loknath Behera to step down as Kochi Metro MD

Kochi: Former Kerala Police Chief Loknath Behera is set to step down as the Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) as his tenure ends on August 30.

Ernakulam District Collector G Priyanka will be given interim charge of Kochi Metro until the Kerala government appoints a new permanent Managing Director.

Behera was appointed as the head of Kochi Metro in August 2021. His tenure was extended twice during the tenure of the previous Left Democratic Front government.

During his time at the helm, Kochi Water Metro was successfully brought into operation, while construction activities for the second phase of the Kochi Metro project were also taken forward.

The government has decided against granting Behera another extension this time and has reportedly expedited the process of appointing a new Managing Director.