The officers especially belonging to Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) cadre and lakhs of Traffic staff heaved a sigh of relief when they got the news of removal of Hitendra Malhotra from the post of Member (Operations & Business Development), Railway Board. According to sources, the appointment of Hitendra Malhotra as Member, Operations & Business Development in October 2024 led the Railway traffic branch astray as he belonged to Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) cadre and was infamous for his contempt for the Traffic branch. The sources informed that during his tenure, there has been no growth, no new traffic flow, no additional stream of earning and no real traffic development. His tenure is said to be the worst ever in the history of Indian Railway, the sources said and added that the post of Member OBD used to be reserved for only IRTS officers and his posting as the head of IRTS cadre showed complete lack of sense. The officer was malicious and incompetent, the officers observed. The Government of India removed him after widespread resentment against him from bottom to top level officers in the Railway. Instead of raising the morale and motivation of all field officers under him, he reportedly demoralized the cadre, behaved cunningly and was vindictive, the sources said.