Hyderabad, Dec.7 (NSS): Four important departments on South Central Railway i.e. Commercial, Operations, Security & Medical departments are currently being led by Women Officers in the zone. K. Padmaja (IRTS) is currently handling two key departments of SCR, as the Principal Chief Commercial Manager. She heads the crucial commercial department which manages passenger services, including ticketing, reservations and so on apart from heading the Operating department as Principal Chief Operations Manager, which plays a key role in efficient handling of passenger and freight train operations, punctuality and so on.
Aroma Singh Thakur (IRPFS) is leading the Security department as the Inspector General–cum–Principal Chief Security Commissioner (IG-cum-PCSC), SCR while Dr Nirmala Narasimhan (IRHS) is heading the Medical department as Principal Chief Medical Director, SCR.
For the first time in the history of South Central Railway, these four crucial departments of the zone are being led by all women officers. These departments, known for their complexity and demanding nature, require exceptional leadership, decision-making, and coordination to ensure the smooth operation of services, the safety & security of passengers, and the well-being of employees.
Despite the challenges inherent in these high-pressure roles, these women officers are handling every aspect with utmost efficiency, setting a powerful example of excellence.
K. Padmaja (IRTS – 1991 batch) assumed charge as Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM), SCR in July, 2024. As the head of the Commercial department, she supervises the effective management of passenger and freight services ensuring customer satisfaction and revenue generation. The Commercial department manages passenger services such as ticketing, reservations, customer assistance, freight operations, station management, advertising, non-fare revenue, marketing & business development, revenue generation etc. Until the end of November, 2024 in the current financial year 2024-25, SCR has carried 175 million passengers, generating passenger revenue of Rs 3,817 crore. In total, the gross originating revenue for the current financial year (up to Nov) is Rs 13,231 crore.
K. Padmaja is also handling additional charge as Principal Chief Operations Manager, SCR since October, 2024. As the PCOM, she plays a crucial role in planning train operations and ensuring safe, efficient and punctual movement of passenger and freight trains across the zone. The department manages scheduling and timetabling of trains, traffic management, co-ordination with other departments to addressing infra and rolling stock requirements, monitoring train operations and punctuality performance etc. During the current financial year (2024-25) until November, the zone has achieved a whopping 89.76 Million Tonnes in Freight loading generating freight revenue of Rs 8,776 crores. The zone has also operated 2,557 special train services to facilitate the passengers during various festivals and important occasions during the current year.
Aroma Singh Thakur (IRPFS – 1993 batch) assumed charge as Inspector General – cum –Principal Chief Security Commissioner (IG-cum-PCSC), SCR in July, 2023. She heads the Railway Protection Force of the zone which is primarily responsible for the safety and security of Rail passengers and Railway property. The role of RPF also includes Prevention of crime and investigation, disaster response, crowd management, surveillance & monitoring, assistance to passengers, co-ordination with local authorities especially during emergencies. Under the leadership of Aroma Singh, the RPF ‘Shakti’ team was awarded by the Govt. of Telangana under the “Women Protection Category” as part of International Women’s Day Celebrations, 2024. She also played a key role in undertaking various initiatives on a large scale across the zone such as Operation Yatri Suraksha, Operation Amanat, Operation Nanhe Farishte, Operation Satark etc., to safeguard the lives of passengers and Railway property.
Dr. Nirmala Narasimhan (IRHS – 1989 batch) has assumed charge as Principal Chief Medical Director in December, 2024. As the in-charge of medical department she plays a vital role in ensuring the best healthcare services to employees, their families, and, in emergencies to passengers. SCR zone has a total of 8 major hospitals including, one 380 bedded Central Railway Hospital at Lallaguda; Divisional Hospitals at Vijayawada, Guntakal, Nanded & Guntur; Sub-Divisional hospitals at Tirupati, Rayanapadu & Purna. The zone has a total of 40 Health Units at workplaces, Railway colonies across the six divisions (i.e., Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur, Guntakal & Nanded) to provide immediate health-care services to employees. The key responsibilities of the department include employee healthcare, emergency medical assistance to passengers, hygiene & sanitation etc. Dr. Nirmala will be playing an important part in ensuring the
welfare of employees, their families and passengers, contributing significantly to the efficient and safe functioning of the zone.
Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager, SCR expressed his happiness that for the first time, four departments are being headed by dynamic women officers of the zone. He stated that this is a testament to the proficiency of these officers and the growing strength of women in different fields. He said that South Central Railway has been at the forefront in promoting women empowerment by undertaking various initiatives to further improve the participation of women. The role of these women officers as Principal Heads of various Departments will inspire more women to reach for new heights of success, he added.
