NEW DELHI – In a significant top-level reshuffle within the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), the Ministry of Railways has entrusted Shri Manoj Garg, the current Vice Chairman of RLDA, with the additional charge of Member (Planning).
The appointment is set to take effect from February 28, 2026, following the premature repatriation of the incumbent officer, Shri Tarun Kumar Goyal.
Administrative Transition at RLDA
The move ensures leadership continuity at a time when RLDA is aggressively pursuing major land monetization and station redevelopment targets.
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The Transition: Shri Tarun Kumar Goyal (Member, Planning) will officially be repatriated to his parent cadre on February 28, 2026.
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Additional Mandate: Manoj Garg will hold the post w.e.f. the date of assumption of charge and will continue “until further orders.”
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Dual Role: Garg, who is already the Vice Chairman (VC), will now oversee the critical Planning portfolio, effectively managing both the strategic executive leadership and the technical planning of railway land assets.
Strategic Importance of the “Member (Planning)” Role
The Member (Planning) is one of the most vital positions on the RLDA Board, directly responsible for:
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Commercial Development: Formulating policies for the commercial use of vacant railway land.
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Urban Planning: Coordinating with local municipal bodies and state governments for land-use changes and development control norms.
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Agreement Oversight: Vetting complex Lease and Development Agreements for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
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Station Redevelopment: Advising on the master planning of major railway stations and the redevelopment of railway colonies.
Officer Profile: Shri Manoj Garg
Shri Manoj Garg is a senior officer of the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE). Before his elevation to Vice Chairman in June 2024, he served as Member (Projects) at RLDA.
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Expertise: He brings decades of experience in civil engineering, project execution, and infrastructure design.
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Key Projects: Under his recent leadership, RLDA has fast-tracked the bidding process for major station redevelopments, including the New Delhi and Surat multimodal hubs.
Context: RLDA’s 2026 Vision
The Ministry’s decision to consolidate power under the Vice Chairman comes as the government pushes for higher non-tariff revenue. As of early 2026, RLDA is tasked with:
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Monetizing 43,000 hectares of vacant railway land.
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Developing 100+ Multi-Functional Complexes (MFCs).
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Executing “Gati Shakti” Cargo Terminals through private investment.
