A graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from College of Engineering, Osmania University who also has undergone a professional training programme in Public Private Partnership from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore, Shri Umashankar Kumar commenced his stint on Railways as Sub-Division Officer at Bellampalli on Secunderabad Division and later served as Sr.DSTE in Hyderabad Division. During the span of over 18 years of service, Shri Umashankar Kumar also held the assignments of Deputy Chief Signal and Telecom Engineer/Projects, Secretary/Public Grievance, SCR.
Shri Umashankar Kumar is credited with several technology innovations on the Railways which include the introduction of the rail user friendly Mobile apps, HYLITES and TADAAST on SCR recently. He is also the brain behind the introduction of web based passenger information system and has been involved in the field trials of Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) on Secunderabad – Wadi Section of SCR.
A stickler for perfection in any initiatives undertaken, Shri Umashankar Kumar played a prime role in the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhyaan’ cleanliness campaign at Lingampalli Railway Station by involving leading sports personalities, movie actors, NGO’s as well as the neighbourhood residential associations, which earned accolades from all quarters. He is also supportive of good management practices towards enhancing productivity, such as renovating offices to meet professional needs, imbibing technology tools to enhance efficiency in working etc.
He is a recipient of the highest honour, the Minister of Railways Award in 2001 for his outstanding contribution in completion of throughput enhancement works on SCR in record time.