Bengaluru, Karnataka – Mr. Sivakumar K.B., an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has officially taken charge as the new Managing Director of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). The handover occurred on Friday, June 20, 2026, at the KSRTC headquarters in Shanthinagar, Bengaluru.
Mr. Sivakumar K.B. steps into this role previously held with additional charge by Selvamani R., who also serves as the Commissioner for Transport and Road Safety. Prior to this significant appointment, Mr. Sivakumar K.B. was at the helm of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), a position he occupied since October 2025. This transition follows a broader administrative reshuffle within the state, which was reportedly initiated subsequent to the recent appointment of Byrathi Suresh as the Transport Minister of Karnataka, succeeding Ramalinga Reddy.
The Chenab Times has learned that Mr. Sivakumar K.B. assumes leadership of KSRTC during a critical period for the state-run transport entity. Among his immediate and primary responsibilities will be the implementation of the student free bus pass scheme, an initiative recently announced by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Furthermore, the new Managing Director is expected to guide the corporation through its ongoing financial challenges.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, along with other state transport undertakings, has been navigating considerable financial pressures in recent years. While the ‘Shakti Scheme,’ which offers free bus travel to women, has led to a substantial increase in passenger numbers, the transport corporations are still awaiting the complete reimbursement of their operational expenses from the State Government. This situation presents a complex financial landscape for KSRTC, requiring strategic financial management and operational efficiencies.
The administrative reshuffle that led to Mr. Sivakumar K.B.’s appointment involved several other IAS officers. Raghunandan Murthy, a 2014-batch IAS officer, has taken over as the Managing Director of BMTC, succeeding Mr. Sivakumar K.B. Mr. Murthy will continue to hold concurrent charge as Commissioner of Treasuries. Other notable transfers include Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar V., who has been assigned concurrent charge as Commissioner of Tourism, and Dr. Sateesha B.C., who has been appointed as Commissioner of Agriculture.
This series of appointments and transfers, which were ratified by the Governor, are part of a concerted effort by the Karnataka government to streamline governance, enhance administrative coordination, and expedite the execution of various development programs across the state. The changes aim to inject new leadership and strategic direction into key public sector undertakings and government departments, ensuring a more effective delivery of public services.
The Chenab Times News Desk