IAS Rakesh Kumar Singh Appointed CEO of Yamuna Authority and In-Charge of Jewar Airport Project
Previously, Singh was serving as Secretary in the UP Chief Minister's Office
In a significant move to fast-track development priorities, the Uttar Pradesh government has entrusted senior IAS officer Rakesh Kumar Singh with a major responsibility. He has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) and will also serve as the Chief Officer in charge of the Noida International Airport (Jewar Airport) project.
From CM Secretariat to the Epicenter of Development
Previously serving as Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, Rakesh Kumar Singh is counted among the most trusted officers of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Known for his dynamic, result-oriented, and coordination-driven approach, his dual appointment signals the government’s intent to push mega projects like the Jewar Airport with greater aggression and efficiency.
Jewar Airport: The Economic Backbone of North India
The Noida International Airport, popularly known as Jewar Airport, is poised to become not only the largest greenfield airport in India but also a crucial engine of growth for Uttar Pradesh and the entire northern region. The first phase of the project is targeted for completion by the end of 2024. Given the complex challenges involved — including investment facilitation, land acquisition, environmental clearances, and construction timelines — the government has handed over the reins to a seasoned administrator.
YEIDA’s Expanding Role and Rising Stakes
YEIDA’s role has now evolved far beyond just industrial plot allotments. The region is rapidly becoming a hub for aerospace, logistics, defense corridors, electric vehicle manufacturing, and township development. With investment proposals flooding in and growing infrastructure demands, there was a clear need for a decisive, visionary, and investor-friendly officer — a role that Rakesh Kumar Singh appears well-suited for.
What Makes Rakesh Kumar Singh Stand Out?
A 2004-batch IAS officer, Singh has held key posts in departments such as Revenue, Urban Development, Labour, Commerce, and Excise. He is respected in administrative circles for his transparent policy-making, swift file processing, and effective inter-departmental coordination. In his new role, expectations are high — to ensure timely completion of the Jewar Airport, streamline land allocation and services for investors in the YEIDA region, and promote balanced development while safeguarding local interests.
Strategic Implications
His appointment to these pivotal positions underscores the UP government’s seriousness in transforming Gautam Buddh Nagar into North India’s largest economic hub. In the coming years, YEIDA and Noida International Airport are poised to become foundational pillars in reshaping the state’s economic landscape.
