Jaya Verma Sinha Appointed First Women CEO of Railway Board

New Delhi, Aug 31: Jaya Verma Sinha, who shot to national prominence after the Balasore rail mishap, has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairperson of the Railway Board. She takes over the reins from Anil Kumar Lahoti.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) granted its approval for her elevation from her current position as Member (Operations & Business Development) of the Railway Board to the post of Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board. This appointment is effective from the date she assumes office and will continue until her official retirement date. Additionally, she has been reappointed to the position from September 1st, 2023, until August 31st, 2024, on the customary terms and conditions, or until further instructions are issued, whichever occurs earlier, said a government communication.

Sinha has recently been prominently involved in the railway sector's media interactions due to her role as Member (Operations and Business Development). She notably provided insights into the intricate signalling system following the tragic Balasore accident, a disaster that claimed the lives of nearly 300 individuals.

A product of Allahabad University, she joined as an Indian Railway Traffic Service officer in 1988, where she served in various capacities across Northern Railway, South-East Railway, and Eastern Railway. Her contributions also extended beyond Indian borders as she assumed the role of Railway Advisor in the High Commission of India, Dhaka, Bangladesh, for four years. Notably, during her tenure in Bangladesh, she played a pivotal role in inaugurating the Maitree Express, connecting Kolkata and Dhaka. Furthermore, she made her mark as the Divisional Railway Manager of Eastern Railway's Sealdah Division.