Mumbai, Oct. 7 -- Tiwari has stressed the need for mechanisation, automation and AI-driven technologies to boost asset performance and enable data-based decision-making.

Alok Tiwari, Additional Member (Bridge), Railway Board, has been entrusted with additional charge as Managing Director of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corp. of India Ltd. (DFCCIL), the developer and operator of the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors.

A 1988-batch Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer, Tiwari brings more than 36 years of experience in railway infrastructure planning, project execution, construction, safety, freight operations and administration. He has overseen the complete project life cycle and directly commissioned over 1,000 km of railway infrastructure.

His career spans key leadership roles including Chief Administrative Officer, South East Central Railway; Principal Chief Safety Officer, South Western Railway; Divisional Railway Manager, Guntakal; and Chief Project Manager-cum-Group General Manager at Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL).

After assuming charge on October 5, Tiwari chaired a review meeting at DFCCIL's corporate office in Noida to assess operations, construction progress, maintenance, asset reliability and safety. He urged a coordinated, outcome-oriented and technology-driven approach to improve efficiency, reliability and productivity.

Discussions also covered the proposed East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor (EWDFC), with emphasis on planning and alignment. Tiwari highlighted the importance of mechanisation and automation in maintenance, adoption of modern construction methodologies, wider use of precast solutions, and deployment of AI and digital technologies to enhance asset performance and enable data-driven decision-making.

He called for strengthening knowledge management and institutional memory, urging the creation of a comprehensive digital repository of drawings and project data, backed by robust archival systems. Officers were asked to maintain focus on quality, cost-effectiveness, timely execution and operational excellence, while leveraging innovation to expand DFCCIL's capabilities.

With his extensive background in infrastructure, freight operations, safety and project management, Tiwari takes charge at a pivotal moment in the evolution of India's freight corridor network.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Infrastructure Today.