New Delhi: Hari Shankar Verma, a 1987-batch officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS/IRMS – Traffic), has assumed charge as Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board, and Ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India. He took over the responsibility on February 2, 2026.
Prior to this appointment, Mr. Verma served as Director General (Safety), Railway Board, where he played a pivotal role in significantly improving Indian Railways’ safety performance.
Key Role at the Apex Level of Indian Railways
As Member (Operations & Business Development), Hari Shankar Verma will oversee some of the most critical verticals of Indian Railways, including:
- Traffic Transportation
- Coaching Operations
- Marketing and Business Development
- Information Technology
His appointment is expected to further strengthen operational efficiency, train planning, logistics optimization, and revenue-oriented initiatives across the railway network.
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Distinguished Career Spanning Over 35 Years
With more than three and a half decades of service, Mr Verma is widely regarded as a specialist in railway traffic operations, safety management, and logistics planning.
He has successfully handled several high-impact leadership roles across different zones and institutions of Indian Railways, establishing records and achieving operational excellence.
Transformational Leadership in Railway Safety
As Director General (Safety), Railway Board, Mr. Verma is credited with taking the safety record of Indian Railways to new heights.
- Focused on process improvements and systemic reforms
- Led initiatives that resulted in a drastic reduction in consequential train accidents
- Earlier, as Divisional Safety Officer, Jhansi (1997–98), he achieved a 32% reduction in train accidents
His tenure is widely acknowledged as one of the most impactful periods for railway safety governance.
Major Operational and Administrative Roles
Throughout his career, Mr. Verma has held several key positions, including:
- Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM), South Western Railway, Hubli
- Achieved record freight loading of 46.68 million tonnes in FY 2022–23
- Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Salem Division, Southern Railway
- Chief Passenger Traffic Manager (CPTM), Central Railway, Mumbai
- Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), Central Railway, Mumbai
- Director General, Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management (IRITM), Lucknow
At IRITM, he contributed significantly to capacity building and leadership development within Indian Railways.
Awards, Recognition and Professional Excellence
Mr. Verma’s contributions have been widely recognized:
- Two-time recipient of the Hon’ble Railway Minister’s Award
- Recipient of multiple General Manager-level awards for excellence
Known across the organization for results-driven leadership and innovation
International Training and Expertise
To further enhance his professional capabilities, Mr. Verma underwent advanced management training in:
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Italy
These global exposures strengthened his expertise in railway traffic management, logistics, and modern operational practices.
Personal Profile
- Date of Birth: March 31, 1966
- Hometown: Orai, Uttar Pradesh
- Service: Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS/IRMS – Traffic), 1987 batch
Strategic Importance of the Appointment
With his deep operational experience, safety leadership, and business acumen, Hari Shankar Verma’s appointment as Member (Operations and Business Development) is expected to play a key role in:
- Enhancing operational reliability
- Driving business growth and logistics efficiency
- Strengthening passenger and freight services
Supporting Indian Railways’ modernization and revenue diversification goals
