Dr Milind Hirve’s Visionary Leadership Drives Pune Railway Division’s Remarkable Achievements
Reported By Amit Singh
Pune, 03 April 2025: IRTS Dr. Milind Hirve, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Pune Division, has played a pivotal role in steering the commercial operations of the division towards unprecedented success. His strategic approach to revenue generation, customer service, commercial operations, and public relations has established Pune Division as a model of excellence within Indian Railways.
Strategic Leadership in Commercial Operations As the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Dr. Milind Hirve is responsible for overseeing all commercial operations within Pune Division, encompassing ticket sales, freight booking, passenger services, tariff management, revenue collection, and ensuring seamless day-to-day commercial functioning. Implementing policies from the Railway Board at the divisional level, Dr. Hirve acts as the key decision-maker for all commercial aspects, focusing on profitability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Revenue Generation through Innovative Steps and Efficient Resource Utilization Under the leadership of Dr. Hirve, the Pune Division has embraced innovative measures such as the UTS promotion drive, additional ticket counters, ticket-checking drives, and catering drives against unauthorized vendors. These initiatives have significantly boosted revenue, with the division achieving a Gross Revenue of ₹2,158.95 crore for FY 2024-25—an impressive 19.9% increase over the previous year and 0.4% above the target. Passenger Revenue stood at ₹1,466.82 crore, marking a growth of 20.99%, while Goods Revenue reached ₹540.47 crore, reflecting a 20.7% increase. These achievements highlight the division’s success in attracting passengers and freight customers alike.
Commitment to Passenger Services and Customer Satisfaction Dr. Hirve’s commitment to enhancing passenger services has led to various initiatives aimed at improving travel experiences. Pune Division introduced QR code-enabled ticketing devices at 121 PRS locations, significantly enhancing ticketing efficiency. Special focus on Divyajan passengers was evident through sensitization programs aimed at equipping frontline staff to address disability-related needs effectively. Additionally, the division prioritized seamless travel experiences during high-demand periods, such as festivals and religious events, operating 424 special train trips.
Ensuring Smooth Commercial Operations Dr. Hirve’s meticulous supervision of ticket reservation systems and station commercial activities ensures efficient train operations. He has also led the implementation of freight and passenger tariffs aligned with Railway Board guidelines. The Phursungi Goods Shed was notified as a CRT, enabling smoother traffic management, while various operational improvements were introduced to streamline ticketing and freight handling.
Empowering and Leading the Commercial Workforce Dr. Hirve leads a dedicated team of commercial officers, Ticket Checking Staff, Station Masters, and other personnel. The division’s participation in significant events, including the Kumbh Mela, saw the deployment of 26 staff members who diligently carried out assigned duties. Dr. Hirve’s leadership style emphasizes staff training, motivation, and professional growth.
Driving New Initiatives and Commercial Products Dr. Hirve’s forward-thinking approach led to the introduction of new commercial services. Pune Division became the first in Central Railway to introduce seating arrangements with advertising on backrests, providing additional revenue streams.
Building Strong Public Relations Dr. Hirve has effectively managed relations with unions, media, public representatives, and district authorities. He has facilitated seamless coordination between commercial operations and public service responsibilities, particularly in road traffic control and passenger amenities.
Achievements in Revenue Performance The division’s stellar performance in FY 2024-25 included:
1. Gross Revenue of Rs. 2158.95 crore
2. Passenger Revenue of Rs. 1466.82 crore
3. Goods Revenue of Rs. 540.47 crore
4. Sundry Revenue of Rs. 22.61 crore
5. Originating Passenger Traffic of 65.72 million, up by 17.6%
6. Commercial Publicity Revenue of Rs. 14.19 crore
7. Catering Contract Revenue of Rs. 3.14 crore
Dr. Hirve’s passenger-centric approach has led to the introduction of several new services aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and convenience.
An Emergency Medical Room has been established at Pune, Ahmednagar, and Miraj stations to provide 24×7 medical assistance. Body massage chairs are now available at Pune station, and electric charging points have been set up at Kolhapur. A digital station layout has been implemented at Pune and 14 other stations, providing easy navigation for passengers.
To address issues related to overcharging, a prepaid auto booth has been introduced at Pune station. QR code-based ID cards have been issued to authorized vendors, and QR-based menu cards are now available at stalls, enhancing transparency and convenience.
Innovative offerings such as ‘Restaurant on Wheels’ have been launched at Pune, Akurdi, and Chinchwad stations, offering a unique dining experience. Additionally, bus services have been made available to passengers at Pune and Hadapsar stations, further improving connectivity and last-mile access.
