IRF Geneva elects new chairman Kiran Kapila

KK Kapila, the Chairman and Managing Director of Delhi-based consultancy firm ICT Ltd., has been elected new Chairman of IRF. Already a member of the IRF Geneva Board of Directors, and Vice-Chairman since 2007, Kapila's election earned him the distinction of becoming the first non-European to be elected to this key responsibility.

"Perhaps my election is, indeed, a sign of the increased globalisation of the IRF. Today, the world has become a much smaller place. Many issues affect more than one country. The most obvious that come to mind are the growing environmental challenges we face today,” said Kapila.

In his acceptance speech, Kapila highlighted changing perceptions of the global importance of roads and the need to transcend their past, often unfairly negative, image.

"Road development is the engine of economic development, and helps to achieve social development in an inclusive manner. It connects various regions and stimulates integrated development. For example, IRF activities promoting safer road development automatically enhance integrated social and economic development," he added.

A fellow of the Indian Institute of Engineers and the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering, he is also a member of (inter alia) the American Society of Civil Engineers; the Indian Geotechnical Society; the Association of Airport Planners and Engineers; the Indian Building Congress and the Indian Institution for Urban Transport.