Who was appointed as the new Chairman of the Indian Railway Board in August 2017?

Introduction / Context:
The Railway Board is the apex body of the Indian Railways, responsible for policy making, planning and overall coordination of the rail network. The chairman of the Railway Board is a crucial position, especially during periods of reform and safety review. In August 2017, a new chairman was appointed to lead the board. This question tests knowledge of that appointment and familiarity with key figures in the transport sector.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The organisation is the Indian Railway Board.
• The appointment took place in August 2017.
• The options are Ashwani Lohani, S. K. Bhagat, Akhil Agarwal and A. K. Mittal.
• We must identify who became chairman at that time.

Concept / Approach:
Ashwani Lohani, known for his experience in Air India and previous roles in Indian Railways, was appointed as the new chairman of the Railway Board in August 2017. This came after safety incidents and a need for renewed leadership. A. K. Mittal had earlier served as chairman but resigned, paving the way for Lohani's appointment. The other names correspond to senior railway officials but not the chairman in August 2017.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that August 2017 was a period when the government decided to bring in a new leader for the Railway Board. Step 2: Recall that Ashwani Lohani, who had headed Air India and held senior posts in railways, was appointed as chairman at that time. Step 3: Note that A. K. Mittal was the outgoing chairman, which rules him out as the newly appointed chairman in this context. Step 4: S. K. Bhagat and Akhil Agarwal held other important positions but were not announced as the new chairman in August 2017. Step 5: Therefore, confirm Ashwani Lohani as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be obtained by recalling the strong media focus on Lohani's reputation as a "turnaround man" due to his past work in reviving Air India and managing tourism and rail zones. Several reports described his appointment as an attempt to bring fresh energy to the railways after a series of derailments. The combination of his name with that context and date firmly identifies him as the new chairman.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
S. K. Bhagat: A railway official, but not appointed as the Railway Board chairman in August 2017.
Akhil Agarwal: Held senior engineering roles in the railways, but not the chairman position referenced here.
A. K. Mittal: He was the outgoing Railway Board chairman who resigned, so he cannot be the new chairman appointed at that time.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes pick A. K. Mittal because they recognise his name as chairman without paying attention to the timing indicated in the question. Others may confuse multiple senior officials with similar initials. Reading the phrase "new Chairman" and linking it to the specific date August 2017 is critical to choosing the correct option.

Final Answer:
The new Chairman of the Indian Railway Board appointed in August 2017 was Ashwani Lohani.