In the vast and complex network of Indian Railways, leadership at the zonal level plays a critical role in smooth operations, passenger safety, and infrastructure growth. Each of the 17 zonal railways in India is headed by a General Manager (GM), the highest administrative authority of the zone.
In this blog, we explain the role of a Railway GM, the GM full form in Railway, key responsibilities, and provide an updated zone-wise Railway GM name list—a helpful reference for railway aspirants, researchers, and passengers.
Table of contents
GM Full Form
The GM full form in Railway is General Manager.
A General Manager (GM) is the administrative head of a zonal railway such as Northern Railway, Southern Railway, Western Railway, etc. The GM reports directly to the Railway Board and is responsible for the overall functioning of the zone.
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Responsibilities of a General Manager
The key responsibilities of General Manager in Indian Railway are as follows:
1. Strategic Planning and Decision-Making
The GM formulates long-term strategies, policy execution plans, and operational decisions to ensure efficient functioning of the zonal railway.
2. Financial Management
Managing budgets, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring optimal utilisation of funds while maintaining financial discipline across departments.
3. Infrastructure Development
Supervising construction, expansion, electrification, and modernisation of railway infrastructure such as tracks, stations, bridges, and yards.
4. Safety and Security
Ensuring passenger safety, accident prevention, staff security, and protection of railway assets through strict compliance with safety norms.
5. Personnel Management
Overseeing recruitment, training, promotions, disciplinary matters, and welfare of thousands of railway employees in the zone.
6. Public Relations
Interacting with passengers, state governments, MPs, media, and the general public to address grievances and improve railway services.
List of Current General Managers in Indian Railways
Below is the zone-wise Railway GM name list, along with official contact numbers for reference:
| Zonal Railway | Railway GM Name | Contact No. |
|---|---|---|
| Central Railway | Dharamveer Meena | 022-22621230 |
| Eastern Railway | Milind K Deouskar | 033-22307596 |
| East Central Railway | Chhatrasal Singh | 06224-274728 |
| East Coast Railway | Parmeshwar Funkwal | 0674-2300773 |
| Northern Railway | Ashok Kumar Verma | 011-23387227 |
| North Central Railway | Upendra Chandra Joshi | 0532-2230200 |
| North Eastern Railway | Saumya Mathur | 0551-2201041 |
| Northeast Frontier Railway | Chetan Kumar Shrivastava | 0361-2676000 |
| North Western Railway | Amitabh | 0141-2725800 |
| Southern Railway | R N Singh | 044-25332157 |
| South Central Railway | Sanjay Kumar Shrivastava | 040-27822874 |
| South East Central Railway | Tarun Prakash | 07752-232004 |
| South Eastern Railway | Anil Kumar Mishra | 033-24393532 |
| South Western Railway | Mukul Saran Mathur | 0836-2360888 |
| Western Railway | Vivek Kumar Gupta | 022-22005670 |
| West Central Railway | Shobhana Bandopadhyaya | 0761-2627444 |
| Metro Railway, Kolkata | P U K Reddy | 02226-7220 |
🔎 Note: Railway GM names may change due to transfers or superannuation. Always verify with official railway notifications for the latest updates.
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Why Knowing Railway GM Name Is Important?
- Helpful for railway job aspirants & interviews
- Useful for RTI filings and official correspondence
- Important for research, tenders, and media references
- Enhances understanding of Indian Railways administration
FAQs
Q. How are General Managers appointed in Indian Railways?
A. General Managers are appointed by the Government of India through a senior-level selection process, usually from IRSE, IRSME, IRAS, or other organized Group-A railway services.
Q. What is the tenure of a General Manager in a zonal railway?
A. The tenure of a Railway GM generally ranges between 2 to 3 years, depending on administrative requirements.
Q. Can General Managers make policy decisions?
A. Yes, Railway GMs have authority to make operational and administrative policy decisions within their respective zones, subject to Railway Board guidelines.
Q. How do General Managers balance the budget for their zones?
A. They allocate funds department-wise, prioritise safety and infrastructure projects, and monitor expenditure to maintain financial efficiency.
Q. What challenges do General Managers face in Indian Railways?
A. Major challenges include infrastructure expansion, safety compliance, punctuality, passenger expectations, and managing resources in a cost-effective manner.