Mobility Minds: Inside India’s Public Transport Leadership featuring Dr. Vikas Kumar
Mobility Minds: Inside India’s Public Transport Leadership is a campaign that spotlights the visionary leaders shaping the future of public transport across India. Through a concise interview format, the initiative captures insights from leading mobility experts, exploring their professional journeys, strategic perspectives, and the experiences that influence their leadership.
Starting the series with Dr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the public transport sector?
My journey into public transport was not a sudden decision, but a natural progression shaped by my early years in the Indian Railways. Being part of the Indian Railway Traffic Service gave me first-hand exposure to how mobility is not just about moving people – it is also about connecting opportunities, enabling livelihoods, and shaping cities.
As Indian cities are expanding rapidly, it is evident that sustainable, high-capacity public transport would play an important role in defining the future of these cities. The opportunity to contribute in metro rail development — particularly with DMRC, allowed me to be part of a team dedicated to build infrastructure that transforms human lives.
For me, public transport is not merely about engineering or operations; it is also about creating a reliable, inclusive, and future-ready system for people that elevates the quality of life in cities. This larger vision motivates me to pursue my participation in public transport.
What project of yours are you most proud of?
It is difficult to single out one project, because every phase of metro
development brings its own challenges and learning. However, I take immense pride in the evolution of DMRC right from building its first underground corridor to achieving its first driverless train operations.
The introduction of India’s first driverless metro services marked a significant technological milestone and reflected our commitment towards innovation, safety, and global standards. Expanding the network in record time and simultaneously managing large-scale events like the Commonwealth Games demonstrated, what disciplined planning and teamwork can achieve.
More than any single milestone, I am proud of being a part of an institution that millions trust every day — a system that continues to set benchmark for sustainable urban mobility.
A book that you would recommend one must read.
I would like to recommend the Bhagavad Gita. It is a timeless wisdom on duty, responsibility, and how one must perform his work selflessly. It is not just relevant in personal life but is equally meaningful in the fields of leadership and public services.
What keeps you motivated?
What keeps me motivated is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s daily lives. Seeing millions of passengers rely on and getting benefited from the systems we build, combined with a dynamic teamwork, and continuous learning, inspires me to keep striving for better and more sustainable solutions.
What is one pro advice that you would like to give to maintain work-life balance?
Plan your day with priorities, but also set aside time for yourself and your loved ones. Balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being is essential to stay effective, ethical, empathetic, creative and motivated over the long term.
A message that you would like to give to the youth.
उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरात्तिबोधत
(Uttishthata Jagrata Prapya Varan Nibodhata)
“Arise, Awake, and Stop not till the goal is reached”
