Sanjay Kumar Jain, an Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS) Officer of 1990 batch, has taken over as the chairman and managing director of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) with immediate effect, the railway PSU announced on Wednesday.
A qualified Chartered Accountant (CA), Jain has been at leadership roles in policy making, commercial ventures and developmental ventures of the Government of India and PSUs. He brings with himself more than three decades of extensive experience of handling important portfolios in Ministry of Railways, PSUs and Department of Public Enterprises, Min of Finance, Govt. of India.
His notable leadership roles include Principal Chief Commercial Manager, Northern Railway, Group General Manager (North Zone), IRCTC, Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai, Central Railway, Joint Secretary in the Department of Public Enterprises, Part-time Chairman & CEO of National Land Monetization Corporation Limited among others.
As Group General Manager (North Zone), IRCTC, he was instrumental in giving the luxury train Maharajas’ Express a new dimension through unique marketing initiatives. He was also instrumental in launching India’s first ‘Executive Lounge’ on the lines of Airport Lounges at New Delhi Railway Station. The Financial and Operational Model developed for “Jan Ahar – New Delhi’ during his tenure was later replicated throughout IRCTC. During his leadership, the tourism business of IRCTC, North Zone grew by 35 times over a period of 5 years.
During his tenure as Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai, he successfully led a force of nearly 30000 manpower, handling the largest Suburban Railway Network to provide daily services to approximately 40 Lakhs commuters. In order to make the Swachhata Mission a success, he carried many initiatives for which “The Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)” was conferred with the “Best Iconic Swachhata Place Award’ by Jal Shakti Ministry. He had the privilege to initiate the prestigious Heritage conservation of Mumbai Byculla Railway Station in 2019 with the support of a leading Industrial House and a well known NGO in Mumbai. The station won UNESCOs Asia Pacific Cultural Hetitage Award for cultural heritage conservation in 2023. He championed Women Empowerment by operating the first all women run railway station at Matunga, Mumbai for which the station has been listed in The Limca Book of Records. Another notable effort during his tenure was the “Muck Special’ a train dedicated to pick up garbage from the settlements along the railway lines in Mumbai. A large number of projects related to passenger amenities and environmental sustainability was completed in record time during his tenure as Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai.
His contributions have been recognized by the Ministry of Railways and he has been honoured twice by the highest award in Indian Railways – the Minister of Railways award for his meritorious services – in 1999 in his role as Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Danapur) and in 2019 as Divisional Railway Manager/Mumbai CSMT Central Railway.
Jain has relinquished the charge of PCCM/Northern Railway on February 13, 2024 and has assumed the charge of the post of IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) on regular basis with effect from February 14, 2024.
Speaking to the media after taking charge, Jain said that he is honoured to lead IRCTC, which is one of the most dynamic and innovative organizations in the Indian Railways. He said that his vision is to enhance the passenger services and satisfaction by providing quality catering, tourism and hospitality services. He also said that he will focus on improving the efficiency and profitability of IRCTC, while ensuring transparency and accountability. He added that he will work closely with the Ministry of Railways, other stakeholders and customers to achieve the goals and objectives of IRCTC.
IRCTC is a Mini Ratna Category-I PSU and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ministry of Railways. It is the only entity authorized by Indian Railways to provide catering services to railways, online railway tickets and packaged drinking water at railway stations and trains in India. It also offers e-catering, executive lounges, budget hotels, e-bedroll and flights to railway passengers. IRCTC also organizes domestic and international tours, charter trains, Buddhist Circuit Train, Maharajas’ Express and other special trains for tourists. IRCTC has also diversified into non-railway catering and services such as e-commerce, State Teertha Yatras, and Air Package Tours.
