Jaya Verma Sinha has made an indelible mark in history by becoming the inaugural woman to assume the dual roles of CEO and Chairperson of the Railway Board, the highest governing body overseeing the national railway system. This historic transition took place on Friday when Jaya Verma Sinha officially assumed her duties, succeeding her predecessor, Anil Kumar Lahoti, marking a pivotal moment in the 166-year legacy of the Indian Railways.
On August 31, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) made a groundbreaking decision by granting approval for the appointment of Jaya Verma Sinha, a seasoned member of the Indian Railway Management Services (IRMS), as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board.
Jaya Verma Sinha\’s tenure in this prestigious position began on or after September 1, 2023, and will continue until her superannuation. Furthermore, she has an additional re-employment period spanning from October 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024.
Here is a concise overview of the exceptional journey of the trailblazing woman who now leads the Railway Board:
– As an alumna of Allahabad University, Jaya Verma Sinha embarked on her career in 1988, joining the Indian Railway Traffic Service and serving in various capacities across Northern Railway, South-East Railway, and Eastern Railway.
– In her most recent role, she held the position of Member of Operations and Business Development at the Railway Board within the Ministry of Railways. In this capacity, she oversaw the comprehensive transportation of freight and passenger services throughout the Indian Railways network.
– Before her appointment as Chairman and CEO, she held the role of Additional Member of Traffic Transportation at the Railway Board.
– Over the course of her illustrious 35-year career within Indian Railways, she amassed extensive experience spanning diverse domains, including operations, commercial activities, IT, and vigilance.
– She achieved the distinction of becoming the first woman to assume the pivotal role of Principal Chief Operations Manager of South Eastern Railway.
– Jaya Verma Sinha also fulfilled key roles such as Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway and Divisional Railway Manager of Sealdah Division. Her career included a pivotal position as Railway Advisor at the High Commission of India in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where she served for four years. During her tenure, the inauguration of the Maitree Express, connecting Kolkata to Dhaka, was a notable achievement. Additionally, she held the position of Divisional Railway Manager at Eastern Railway\’s Sealdah Division.
– Notably, Sinha played a pivotal role in the railways\’ communication efforts, especially during her tenure as Member (Operations and Business Development), where she provided explanations concerning the complex signaling system following the tragic Balasore accident, which resulted in the loss of nearly 300 lives.