Government of India has decided to send Mr Keshav Kumar Pathak, the incumbent managing director of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) back to his parent cadre of Bihar. The move has come as an eye-opener to the officials.

Pathak is a 1990 batch IAS officer. Many were unable to find any good reason for his repatriation since Pathak had earned the reputation of a sincere and studious worker. Pathak, along with his batchmates was keenly awaiting empanelment for holding Secretary level post in GoI.

The surprise factor at Pathak’s repatriation matched the surprise factor when he was brought to the Centre as MD, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited in October 2019. Many wondered then why he was put in charge of a capital-intensive infrastructure venture, considering he has a zero tolerance level for wheeling deals.  

It is suspected that his brusque straightforwardness may have affected the decision as Pathak is known for his professional integrity. It is also expected that the NDA may have been planning a major operation in Bihar where governance has taken a hit due to perpetual politicking. His cleanliness is vouched particularly by NE officials who had seen how roads and highways were constructed in the region in one season and they disappeared completely in the next season.

During his tenure with NHIDCL, Pathak has ensured that the EDs and GMs are located at ground-zero and visited their sites regularly and inspected the operation assigned to them so that in case of a problem, they could be held accountable and that’s his unique style of working.