IndiGlobal Bureau
Breaking the glass ceiling, Jaya Verma Sinha who shot into limelight during the Balasore tragedy by demystifying the complicated signalling system to the media has been appointed as the first lady chairperson of Railway Board in its 118-year-old history.
Ms Sinha, an alumnus of Allahabad University, joined the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) in 1986 and worked in three railway zones: Northern Railway, South Eastern Railway, and Eastern Railway.
An efficient officer, Jaya Verma was instrumental in the launch of the Maitree Express, a train service that connects Kolkata and Dhaka. She was the Railway Advisor at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Moving on the right track
The Railway Board chairmanship, always the preserve of a male member, will now be headed by Jaya Verma which reflects her exceptional capabilities and is also shows the direction in which the Railways is moving by recognising and awarding recognition to woman of substance and merit. It is a move towards gender diversity and inclusivity in leadership roles within India’s railways.
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Jaya Verma Sinha, Indian Railway Management Services (IRMS), Member (Operations & Business Development), Railway Board to the post of Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Railway Board,” a government statement read.
Ms. Sinha will take over for Anil Kumar Lahoti on September 1st, at the earliest. Her term will end on August 31, 2024. Ms Sinha is set to retire on October 1 but will be re-hired on the same day for the rest of her contract.
Jaya Verma Sinha, an alumnus of Allahabad University, joined the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) in 1988. She is currently serving as a member of operations and business development, railway board, under the railway ministry. Sinha is responsible for the overall transportation of freight and passenger services on Indian Railways. Sinha assumed charge on Friday, September 1 and her tenure will be till August 31, 2024. She is slated to retire on October 1 but will be re-employed the same day till her tenure gets over. Sinha has also worked in the Northern Railway, SE Railway and Eastern Railway. She also worked as the divisional railway manager, eastern railway, Sealdah division.