An Indian American veteran of transportation construction management will preside over multi-billion dollar capital expansion projects in New York City following his appointment as president of the newly created Capital Construction Company by the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

The name of Mysore L Nagaraja was announced by the MTA on Friday following a unanimous vote by the MTA Board of Directors to create the Capital Construction Company that will have responsibility for overseeing system expansion projects for all MTA companies.

"Moving these mega projects is a real challenge. WE are confident that Mysore Nagaraja is the ideal person to get these jobs done on time and within budget," said Peter S Kalikow, chairman of the MTA.

As president, Nagaraja will lead MTA's efforts in advancing multi-billion dollar capital system expansion projects, including East Side Access, a new Second Avenue Subway and the extension of the No 7 train to the West side.

The Company will also oversee and coordinate the MTA's extensive security capital construction projects and will spearhead two significant components of Lower Manhattan's redevelopment, the Fulton Transit Center and the new South Ferry subway station complex.

"I embrace the opportunity to lead the new MTA Capital Construction Company and build on the tradition of excellence that was initiated when the first Capital Program was approved back in 1981," Nagaraja said.

Since 1996, Nagaraja has served as Senior Vice-President and chief engineer at MTA New York City Transit where he oversaw all aspects of the Capital programme, including the remarkable reconstruction of the 1 and 9 subway line section within a year and four days after its destruction during the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

At any given time, Nagaraja manages over 400 projects in various stages of construction and design. During his tenure as Senior VP, more than 75 per cent of all projects have been completed on time and within budget.

The MTA is currently embarking on an extraordinary programme of system-wide expansion. Eastside access will bring the Long Island Railroad into Grand Central terminal; the Second Avenue subway will extend from Harlem to the financial district on downtown Manhattan and the extension of the number 7 train will spur the development on Manhattan's west side.

Katherine N Lapp, executive director of the MTA said these projects would dramatically enhance commercial, economic, residential and cultural development of New York City.

"I am enthusiastic about working with our federal, state and local partners to make these capital projects part of the region's great transportation network," Nagaraja said.

Nagaraja has a Bachelor's degree in engineering from University of Mysore and a MS from Brigham Young University. A licensed professional engineer in New York and New Jersey, he received the Milton Pikarski distinguished Leadership in Transportation award from the CUNY's City College in 1988.

Nagaraja could not be contacted for comments.