DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Indian Railways has undergone a major reshuffle with the transfer of 35 Divisional Railway Managers (DRM) across different zones in the country. Each of the 70 divisions is headed by a DRM. The transfers were made to ensure effective management and supervision of railway operations.
Bhartesh Kumar Jain, previously with the South Eastern Railway, has been posted as the Divisional Railway Manager of the South Central Railway’s Secunderabad division. Eerya Bhukya Vishwanath, who served in the South Central Railway, is now the Divisional Railway Manager of the Southern Railway’s Chennai division.
The transfers of DRMs occur periodically as they have a two-year tenure. The Railway spokesperson explained that transfers are done in batches since all 70 DRMs can’t be transferred simultaneously.
These transfers come in the wake of the tragic Balasore train accident on June 2, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and over 1,000 injuries. The Central Bureau of Investigation has sent three accused members (Arun Kumar Mahanta, Senior Section Engineer/ Signal, Mohd. Amir Khan, Section Engineer, and Pappu Kumar, Technician) to judicial custody, and the Commissioner of Railway Safety emphasized the importance of proper supervision in maintenance work and wiring to prevent such accidents.
The incident highlighted the need for a vigilant supervisory staff to ensure a culture of safety in the Railways. A DRM holds a crucial role as the administrative head and CEO of the division, overseeing train operations, track maintenance, and other assets within the division’s jurisdiction. DRMs report to the General Manager of their respective zones, with a total of 19 zones in the Indian Railway System.
