Albert Vivian D'Costa

Albert Vivian D'Costa (1904–1996) was an eminent Administrator who is an architect behind construction of the Indian Railways during its inception. He has won several laurels and awards.

Remarkably simple and unassuming personality, he had a brilliant career in the Indian railway service of engineers. He was born on July 4, 1906 at Quitula Aldona, India. He did his studies in Bombay. Having passed B.Sc. (Mathematics) and B.E (Civil) in 1930 he was appointed as assistant executive engineer following an all India competitive examination. In April 1945 he was promoted to the senior scale as executive engineer and in December 1947 as junior administrative grade as architect on central Railway. In recognition of his exceptional competence he was placed on special duty by the ministry of Railways for investigations in regard to the establishment of integral coach factory of all railways in India. Whenafter he was Engineer of the central Railway in charge of major construction projects until 1949. Simultaneously he held responsibility for the Girder and steel workshops at Manmad.

Then followed his promotion as Dy. Chief Engineer and his appointment as joint Architect for central and western Railways. In March 1953 he was transferred to the research and standard organization of ministry of Railways as joint Director of research in buildings, soil Mechanics and concretes in charge of the research station at Lonavla and in less than three years he moved to transportation department as Divisional Transportation Superintendent, Bombay division. In March 1957 he was posted on special Duty as Secretary of the Expert Bridge Committee to investigate week bridges and to make recommendations. In January 1958 he was again promoted as Senior Administration Grade i.e. Head of the Department and transferred as Director Standards (Civil) of the Ministry of Railways. He was soon appointed Principal, Railway administrative staff college. In 1959 he was transferred to the Railway Board as Director, Civil Engineering.

The Steady and impressive rise of his career is attributed to his high sense of duty, honesty of purpose and integrity of his character. He retired from the railways on superannuation in 1964 but was recalled from retirement by the planning commission to take charge as leader of the Metropolitan Transport study team for major metropolitan cities in India until 1976.

Even before the Independence of India in 1943, he was honored with the title of M.B.E. as additional member of the civil division of the order of the British Empire. He has been Ex-President (Bombay Central) of permanent way institute, United Kingdom, and Fellow of Indian Standards Institute. A brilliant Man with several strengths left for heavenly aboard in this home at Santa Cruz, Bombay.