.LUCKNOW: Lucknow’s Prashasti Srivastav (33), an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, has created history by becoming the first woman to take charge as Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr DCM) of the North Eastern Railway’s (NER) Varanasi Division.A mechanical engineering graduate, Srivastav joined the Indian Railways through the IRTS on Dec 10, 2018. She started her career as assistant commercial manager in the Agra division of North Central Railway and went on to serve as divisional commercial manager and divisional operations manager there. Before her latest posting, she was serving as senior commercial manager (claims) at the NER headquarters in Gorakhpur.After assuming charge on Tuesday, Srivastav reviewed the division’s commercial operations and passenger services with senior officials. “My focus would be on improving passenger amenities, delivering safe and seamless travel, enhancing customer satisfaction, increasing railway revenue and promoting a transparent and accountable work culture,” she said.Srivastav had earlier earned national recognition for her contribution to freight operations. In Dec 2023, she received the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Award, the highest service honour of Indian Railways, for introducing an innovative semi mechanised conveyor belt system for loading and unloading freight wagons during her tenure in the Agra Division.The initiative substantially reduced wagon unloading time, improved operational efficiency, lowered labour costs and increased freight handling capacity. The pilot project’s success prompted the Railway Board to adopt the model across goods sheds under its Integrated Goods Shed Policy, making it a landmark innovation in Indian Railways’ freight operations.
