Arunendra Kumar takes over as Railway Board chairman

Arunendra Kumar has been appointed as chairman, Railway Board (Ministry of Railways) and ex-officio Principal Secretary to Government of India.

Kumar, an officer belonging to 1976 batch of Indian Railways Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) (Special Class Railway Apprentice Examination 1971), took charge as Railway Board chairman today.

Prior to this, he had been holding additional charge of Chairman, Railway Board since July 1, 2013, besides his regular posting as member (Mechanical) Railway Board and ex officio Secretary to the Government of India.

Kumar joined Railway Board as member (Mechanical) on 1st May 2013. Prior to this, he was General Manager, South East Central Railway (SECR) (Headquarter: Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh) from 9th November 2011 to 30th April 2013.

Kumar has been in charge of maintenance of a variety of locomotives, coaches and wagons over a career of more than 35 years both in workshops and open line. He has several innovations to his credit in the area of locomotive and coaching maintenance. He has displayed great leadership qualities and managerial skills which has enabled him to deliver results in crisis situations and has won several awards and accolades for meritorious performance during his three and a half decade long career.

As General Manager, SECR, Kumar managed the heaviest freight operation in the country. As Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai Central he successfully managed maintenance and operation of all trains and infrastructure over Mumbai Division.

Kumar has contributed significantly in various policy formulation at Railway Board Level while working as Advisor (CC) and Additional Member Production unit during his earlier stints at Railway Board. He has attended advanced management and training programmes abroad.

Kumar is an outstanding athlete and excellent player of Badminton. Kumar has featured on national geographic channel in the serial "Seven Mega Cities of the World" and holds a record of longest Live TV interview by a Railway Officer on national TV channel.