Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Keralam Government Ends Behera’s Kochi Metro Tenure, Names Collector
The Kerala government decided not to give Loknath Behera another extension as Kochi Metro’s chief.
His term will finish on August 30.
Ernakulam District Collector Priyanka G will take temporary charge on August 31.
She will do this job along with her district collector responsibilities.
Priyanka will remain in the additional role until the government gives further instructions.
Behera first became managing director in 2021 after retiring from the police service.
His term had already been extended in 2024 and 2025.
He had recently suggested changing the metro company’s name, but the chief minister said he did not know about the proposal.
The Kerala government decided not to extend Loknath Behera’s tenure as Kochi Metro Rail Limited managing director.
Ernakulam District Collector Priyanka G was given temporary additional charge of the post.
Priyanka G is scheduled to assume charge on August 31, after Behera’s tenure ends on August 30.
Behera was appointed in August 2021 after retiring as Kerala police chief, and his tenure was extended in 2024 and 2025.
Behera recently faced controversy over a proposal to rename Kochi Metro Rail Limited as Kerala Metro Rail Limited.
- Who
- The Kerala government, Loknath Behera, and Ernakulam District Collector Priyanka G.
- What
- The government will not extend Behera’s tenure and has assigned Priyanka G temporary additional charge as Kochi Metro Rail Limited managing director.
- When
- The decision was reported on August 29; Behera’s tenure ends on August 30, and Priyanka G is scheduled to assume charge on August 31.
- Where
- Kochi, Kerala.
- Why
- The articles do not state why Behera’s tenure was not extended. They note that he had recently faced controversy over a proposed company-name change.
Name-change proposal
Government response
Renaming Kochi Metro Rail Limited
Name-change proposal
Loknath Behera proposed changing the company’s name to Kerala Metro Rail Limited.
Government response
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said he was unaware of any such move.
- Outgoing managing director
- Loknath Behera
- Incoming temporary charge
- Priyanka G, Ernakulam District Collector
- Behera’s tenure ends
- August 30
- Priyanka’s scheduled start
- August 31
- Initial appointment
- August 2021, on a re-employment basis for three years
- Previous extensions
- Behera’s tenure was extended in 2024 and 2025
- Temporary arrangement
- Priyanka G will hold the additional charge until further orders