H.S. Verma Appointed as Member (Operations & Business Development) of Railway Board

Prayagraj : In a significant leadership transition for India’s rail infrastructure, Hari Shankar Verma, a distinguished 1987-batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, has officially assumed charge as Member (Operations and Business Development) of the Railway Board. In this high-profile capacity, he will also serve as the Ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India.

Verma transitions into this role following a successful tenure as Director General (Safety), where he was credited with elevating the national carrier’s safety protocols to unprecedented levels. Under his leadership, a rigorous focus on process improvement led to a substantial decline in consequential train accidents, cementing his reputation as a results-driven administrator.

A Legacy of Excellence
Throughout his multi-decade career, Verma has navigated the complexities of the Indian Railways through several pivotal roles, including:

• Divisional Management: Served as DRM in the Salem Division (SR) and ADRM in Mumbai (CR).
• Operational Leadership: Held the post of Chief Passenger Traffic Manager in Mumbai and Principal Chief Operations Manager at SWR, Hubli.
• Academic Contribution: Led the Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management (IRITM) in Lucknow as Director General.

Global Expertise and Recognition
A specialist in railway traffic management, Verma’s strategic approach is backed by international training in Singapore, Malaysia, and Italy. His contributions have not gone unnoticed; he is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Minister of Railways Award, alongside numerous General Manager-level accolades.

As he takes the helm of Operations and Business Development, industry insiders expect a renewed push toward enhancing freight efficiency and modernizing passenger services, leveraging his deep expertise to meet the evolving demands of India's transport sector.