Vivek Kumar Gupta, the newly appointed General Manager (GM) of Western Railway, wasted no time in getting down to business. Just two days after officially assuming charge on July 11, Gupta conducted a thorough inspection of the Churchgate and Marine Lines stations on Sunday, including a footplate inspection of the Churchgate–Marine Lines section.
During the inspection, Gupta interacted with passengers and staff, seeking to understand commuter expectations and gain firsthand insights into the challenges faced by railway personnel. He paid close attention to aspects of safety, train operations, passenger and staff amenities, and overall cleanliness.
Vivek Kumar Gupta's appointment is seen as a strategic move, given his deep familiarity with Mumbai's complex railway infrastructure and challenges.
Before taking over as GM of Western Railway, Gupta served as Managing Director of the National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL), where he played a key role in accelerating the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project. Under his leadership, the NHSRCL achieved a significant milestone by completing the first breakthrough of a 21-km-long tunnel in Maharashtra.
According to WR, Gupta is no stranger to the Mumbai suburban network. He has previously held several key positions in both Western and Central Railways and has in-depth knowledge of the region. As Chief Engineer at Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), Gupta played a pivotal role in the planning and implementation of Mumbai Urban Transport Projects (MUTP) I, II, and III. He also led preparatory work for the ₹34,000 crore MUTP 3A project aimed at upgrading the suburban railway system.
His experience coordinating with multiple agencies, including the World Bank, AIIB, MMRDA, CIDCO, and the Government of Maharashtra, is expected to be instrumental in driving major infrastructure improvements in the region.
"With a track record of delivering large-scale projects and a strong grasp of Mumbai’s suburban rail, Gupta’s appointment signals a renewed push toward modernization, efficiency, and commuter-centric development in Western Railway" said an official of WR.
