Bengaluru, April 10, 2026: Senior Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer P Ananth (1989 batch) has assumed charge as the General Manager of South Western Railway (SWR), according to an official statement.
Ananth was serving as the Additional General Manager of South Western Railway before his elevation to the top post. With this appointment, he will now head one of the key railway zones of Indian Railways, overseeing operations, safety, infrastructure development, and administrative functions across the network.
Long career in Indian Railways
An engineering graduate, P Ananth has held several important positions during his career in Indian Railways. These include roles such as Director (Manpower Planning) at the Railway Board, Chief Mechanical Engineer at Banaras Locomotive Works, and General Manager (Coach Maintenance Management System) at the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), New Delhi).
He has also served as Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Madurai Division in Southern Railway, gaining extensive field experience in operations and administration.
Key responsibilities as GM
As General Manager of South Western Railway, Ananth will be responsible for the overall functioning of the zone, including train operations, safety oversight, infrastructure maintenance, project execution, and coordination with the Railway Board.
South Western Railway is one of the important zones of Indian Railways, covering key routes in Karnataka and neighbouring regions, and plays a crucial role in passenger and freight movement.
About IRSME cadre
The Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) is a Group ‘A’ engineering service under the Ministry of Railways. Officers of this cadre manage the mechanical and rolling stock operations of Indian Railways, including locomotives, coaches, and workshops across zones and production units.
