Sunil Paliwal, Chairperson of the Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Ltd, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The appointment places him in the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India, following the temporary upgradation of the post, according to a notification issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, on Thursday evening.
Paliwal takes over from Vijay Kumar, who was recently elevated as Shipping Secretary, succeeding T.K. Ramachandran upon his retirement.
A senior IAS officer with extensive administrative experience, Paliwal earlier held several key positions in the Tamil Nadu government, including Managing Director of Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Tamil Nadu Road Development Company Limited, and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation. His diverse leadership roles across infrastructure, industry, and public utilities are expected to bolster IWAI’s efforts in strengthening India’s inland water transport ecosystem.