Anil Kumar Lahoti appointed new TRAI Chairman: All about the new chief

Before working in the Railway Board, Lahoti served under various capacities in Northern, Central, North Central, Western and West Central Railways. He has served in the Indian Railways for 36 long years.

Anil Kumar Lahoti will replace TRAI member Meenakshi Gupta who was given the additional charge of the top post for the time being. (File photo: Central Railway/YouTube)

Former Railway Board Chief Anil Kumar Lahoti has been appointed as the chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) after the position felt vacant four months back. Former chief PD Vaghela vacated the post in November 2023 after his two-year tenure ended.

“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Anil Kumar Lahoti, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Railway Board, Ministry of Railways … as Chairman, TRAI for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until he attains the age of 65 years or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” a notification by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) read.

Lahoti will replace TRAI member Meenakshi Gupta who was given the additional charge of the top post for the time being.

Who is Anil Lahoti?

A 1984-batch Indian Railway Service of Engineer (IRSE), Lahoti holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Madhya Pradesh’s Madhav Institute of Technology and Master of Engineering in Structures from University of Roorkee, now IIT Roorkee. He later underwent training in Strategic Management and Leadership programmes at USA’s Carnegie Mellon University, Italy’s Bocconi School of Management and ISB Hyderabad.

Before working in the Railway Board, Lahoti served under various capacities in Northern, Central, North Central, Western and West Central Railways. He has served in the Indian Railways for 36 long years.

The industry has welcomed Lahoti’s appointment for the newer role, expressing optimism of leading growth in the strategic sector.

“We are optimistic that the growth and advancement of India’s dynamic telecom sector will find new impetus and gain profoundly from his rich experience and guidance,” SP Kochhar, Director General of industry body COAI, said to PTI. “We look forward to working with TRAI under his able guidance towards achieving the national goal of an empowered and inclusive Digital India,” he added. TRAI chief receives a sum of Rs 4.50 lakh per month.

-With inputs from PTI