Indian Railways is headed towards a shortage of senior and middle managers, thanks to the private-public partnership joint ventures attracting experienced railway officers and the policy of staff surrender.

The Indian Railways has one of the best-structured systems in Asia for grooming and promoting its officers cadre for the senior most slots and is relatively freer from political interference. But over the past few years, mid-level officers leaving in favour of the private sector, has led to a shortage of experienced hands.

As a result, while the Railways need about 150 to 200 administrative grade or Group A service officers, only about 50 to 60 are available to reach the grade.

The largest employer in the country with a strength of 1.4 million — ahead of the combined defence forces — Indian Railways has just 6,000 Group A officers of whom close to round 10 per cent are usually deputed to sister organisations like IRCON, RITES, IRCTC.

Another 90 retire each year. With the proposed 14 Indian Railways - private sector joint ventures expected to take-off the shortage of expected managers is bound to worsen.