Guruprasad Mohapatra assumed office as the chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Tuesday. Prior to this appointment, he was joint secretary in the Commerce Ministry.
Mohapatra, an IAS officer from Gujarat cadre, has extensive experience in power sector, urban development and industry. In a release on Tuesday, state-owned AAI said Mohapatra has taken over as the new chairman.
The new Chairman has worked extensively in the power sector, urban development and industry, where he was involved in comprehensive reforms in the power sector and restructuring of the erstwhile Gujarat Electricity Board into several commercial entities. He has rich and varied experience in the chemicals and fertilizers sector, as he has worked as the Managing Director of Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals ltd. (GACl) and Managing Director of Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers Company limited (GNFC).
Guruprasad worked as a Municipal Commissioner in Surat from 1999 to 2002, during which he was actively involved in the process of converting Surat into one of the models of urban governance with its thrust on Solid Waste Management, quality infrastructure and sound financial management.
He also worked as a Municipal Commissioner in Ahmedabad for more than three years, during which he was instrumental in developing such iconic projects such as Sabarmati Riverfront, BRTS, Kankaria lakefront and Heritage Promotion.