Deepa Cholan (IAS)

Deepa Cholan is an officer of the Indian Administrative Service known for her work in governance, education, and citizen-focused reforms. While she may not always be in the national spotlight, officers like her often make a strong impact at the district and state levels.

She is a Chief Executive Officer, Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) Commissioner, Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Karnataka.

Table of Contents

• Basic Profile
• Early Career
• Key Administrative and Leadership Roles
• Current Roles
• Key Responsibilities (BMLTA & DULT)
• Contribution and Notable Work
• Other Positions & Affiliations
• Administrative Profile Summary
• Contact Information and Address

Basic Profile

• Full Name: Smt. Deepa M. Cholan

• Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

• Cadre: Karnataka

• Batch: 2008

• Date of Birth: 02 January 1980

• Profession: Senior Bureaucrat / Urban Transport & Infrastructure Administrator

• Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) and Master’s Degree (M.A. in Economics) both in Bangalore University and secured First Rank

• Spouse: Rajendra P. Cholan, IAS

Early Career

• Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Belagavi (2013)

• Handled rural development programs and local governance at district level

• Worked on implementation of welfare schemes and public service delivery

Key Administrative and Leadership Roles

• Managing Director, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC)

• Associated with multiple Smart City SPVs across Karnataka (Tumakuru, Davanagere, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, etc.)

• Secretary to Government, Urban Development & Municipal Administration Department, Karnataka

• Commissioner, Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT)

Current Roles

• Chief Executive Officer, Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA)

• Heads integrated urban mobility planning for Bengaluru Metropolitan Region

Key Responsibilities (BMLTA & DULT)

As CEO, BMLTA and Commissioner, DULT, she is responsible for:

• Integrated transport planning across Bengaluru (Metro, BMTC, Suburban Rail, roads)

• Policy formulation for sustainable urban mobility

• Coordination among multiple transport agencies

• Implementation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policies

• Promoting non-motorized transport (cycling, pedestrian infrastructure)

Contribution and Notable Work

• Played an important role in improving urban transport systems in Bengaluru

• Helped implement and run the Bangalore Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) framework

• Led work under the Smart Cities Mission and supported urban infrastructure funding

• Gained strong experience working with public sector companies and infrastructure projects (SPVs)

Other Positions & Affiliations

• Served as Director or Nominee Director in several public sector and Smart City companies across Karnataka.

• Worked with corporations in renewable energy and infrastructure sectors.

Administrative Profile Summary

Smt. Deepa Cholan is regarded as a policy-driven and technically strong administrator.

• Deep expertise in urban transport systems and infrastructure financing.

• Leadership across state-level urban bodies and smart city projects.

• Strong focus on integrated mobility and sustainable urban development.

• .Experience in both policy formulation and execution.

Contact Information and Address

• Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority C/o Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Urban Development Department, Bengaluru – 560001, Karnataka, India.