Prisita Das 
Akshay Saxena, Chief Engineer Construction at East Coast Railway (ECOR), embodies the quiet dedication required to transform ambitious infrastructure blueprints into functioning national assets. From his foundational years at IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi to his current pivotal role overseeing massive undertakings, his journey offers a unique and invaluable insight into the complexities of infrastructure development in modern India. Throughout a demanding career characterized by high-stakes decision-making and remote project execution, Mr. Saxena projects a notable sense of calm and measured professionalism—a quality clearly reflected in his systematic approach to realizing monumental goals. Awards and recognitions at Zonal and National level came pouring in as a natural consequence to the hard work and dedication.
The Calling of the Rails
For Mr. Saxena, the trajectory toward the Indian Engineering Services was almost pre-ordained. As a Civil Engineering graduate from the University of Roorkee (now IIT Roorkee), an institution historically intertwined with the development of the Indian Railway network, joining the IES was “the aim and dream job.” This alignment of environment, education, and aspiration led to a career defined by a singular philosophy: to deliver “good quality work which lasts.” He prioritizes durable materials and meticulous construction to break the costly cycle of repeated repairs, a disciplined focus that yields profound long-term results.
His subsequent move into construction provided his most impactful learning curve. Taking on “long stalled projects” like the Naupada-Gunpur and Lanjigarj-Bhawanipatna-Junagarh Railway Lines, he quickly garnered a reputation for revival. His crowning achievement, the commissioning of the 182-kilometer Sambalpur-Titlagarh doubling project—a complex “ghat-section” with steep gradient of 1 in 100 is a testament to his exceptional managerial and problem-solving skills. Crucially, he learned that genuine, direct interaction with Project affected people resolves “90% of the problems,” facilitating smoother land acquisition and ensuring essential community buy-in.
Channelling the Fire of Youth
One of Mr. Saxena’s core strategies for success in these remote and challenging projects highlights his innovative belief in the power of the next generation. He pioneered an innovative staffing model for the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), hiring and training fresh, motivated graduates and apprentices directly from the open market. His mentorship philosophy is pragmatic and empowering: the young boys and girls “who are willing to work, they are having the fire.” He focuses on grooming them quickly, ensuring they learn the disciplined way of working so that “the world will pay them handsomely.”
Mr. Saxena views this infusion of young energy as vital for the country’s economic future. Looking ahead, he affirms that the Indian Railways is prioritizing infrastructure development with an unprecedented vision from the top. He frames this national push as a necessity to channel the country’s huge youth population’s energy away from potential disruption and into productive economic growth. Youth possess immense power. If this energy isn’t channelized and harnessed to productive ends, it risks becoming a force as disruptive as a tidal surge
Technology, Precision Engineering and Lasting Legacy
The need for discipline extends deeply into his engineering approach. In bustling, operational stations like Bhubaneswar or Cuttack, the transformation work is akin to Japanese engineering—highly planned, executed with surgical precision, and often utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) to create “virtual twins.” This extreme planning is non-negotiable because operations cannot stop, and any failure would be catastrophic. He emphasizes that if a project is handled with discipline of human foresight and infusion of cutting-edge technologies, convergence with advanced economies is not a distant dream. Once a system plateaus, its traditional working styles become obsolete. Sustaining competitiveness demands the introduction of disruptive technologies—a necessity that spans from physical assets to operational protocols.
Akshay Saxena’s journey is more than a chronology of successful projects; it is a powerful testament to the enduring impact of visionary leadership, calm execution, and strategic mentorship. In an environment defined by extreme operational complexity—whether orchestrating inch-by-inch construction amidst the massive footfalls of a major junction, or mobilizing teams to conquer the isolation of a remote frontier—Mr. Saxena demonstrates that discipline, technology and meticulous planning are the ultimate tools for empowerment. His refusal to compromise on quality ensures that the infrastructure he builds is not temporary, but a stable, high-capacity backbone essential for an India destined to achieve global economic success.
He is not just constructing railways; he is laying the tracks for national progress. His commitment to training the next generation, giving them the “fire” and the foundational knowledge to earn success in the world, is an act of profound national faith, channelling the vast potential of India’s young population into constructive energy. His legacy is an inspiration: plan meticulously, mentor generously, and build to last, because the future depends on it.
