Transitioned from powering hydroelectric projects to revolutionizing IT in aviation sector
Indrajit Saikia, an Electrical engineer from IIT Roorkee who transitioned from powering hydroelectric projects to revolutionizing IT operations in the aviation sector. My professional journey has been a blend of technical expertise, leadership and a relentless passion for excellence.
The Beginning: Powering Dreams
After graduating from IIT Roorkee, my career began at JaiPrakash Associates, where I worked as a Resident Engineer on the 300 MW BASPA II Hydro Electric Project. I was entrusted with commissioning high-tension and low-tension equipment and integrating SCADA systems to enable real-time monitoring in the project. My dedication and performance didn’t go unnoticed—I was soon handed the responsibility of Powerhouse Incharge within 5 months, an achievement I hold close to my heart.
Entering Aviation: Building IT Foundations in the Northeast
My foray into aviation began when I joined Indian Airlines (now Air India). As a Deputy Manager, 20 years back, I took on the challenge of establishing IT infrastructure for Air India across airports in Northeast India. This was a pivotal period in my career, where I honed my skills in creating robust, reliable IT systems in some of the country’s most challenging terrains.
Leading in Crisis: Air India's Station Manager of Guwahati station
In a turn of events that reflected my ability to adapt and lead, I was appointed as Station Manager of Guwahati station in early 2019—a role outside my core IT expertise and a responsibility given for the first time to an IT professional in Air India. CMD Ashwani Lohani personally entrusted me with this responsibility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I navigated operational challenges by ensuring regulatory compliance and normalizing operations at the airport.
It was a demanding yet rewarding time and I was honored for my distinguished service to Air India. This experience deepened my understanding of aviation operations and strengthened my resolve to make a difference.
Air India's Transformation journey: My role in Air India's Transformation Journey
After Air India’s acquisition by the Tata Group, I returned to my parent domain of IT, this time at a more strategic level. As Senior Manager - IT Service Management, I have had the privilege of driving several transformative initiatives:
Operationalizing Air India’s First 24/7 IT Service Desk: This was a groundbreaking step in improving IT support scope for our employees by optimizing resource allocation and enhancing the IT support window period
Enhancing ServiceNow: I led the redesign of incident and service request catalogs, introducing redefined SLAs and automated priority matrices to streamline operations.
Strengthening Critical Command Centers: Managing the IT infrastructure of Air India’s Integrated Operations Command Center and Emergency Command Center has been a responsibility I am proud to shoulder.
Driving Managed Print Services (MPS): Through vendor negotiations and strategic planning, I contributed to cost-effective and sustainable IT solutions
Air India Aviation Academy: I played a key role in establishing the IT infrastructure foundation for the Air India Aviation Academy during its inception
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
Throughout my career, I’ve embraced challenges as opportunities. From commissioning hydroelectric projects to normalizing airport operations during a global pandemic, each experience has shaped me into a resilient and forward-thinking professional.
Looking to the future, I aim to leverage cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, AI and cloud computing to redefine IT in the aviation sector. My vision is to contribute and create seamless, technology-driven passenger experiences and help position Air India as a global leader in aviation innovation.
A Journey of Growth
My journey is one of transformation—of industries, of systems and of myself. From engineering powerhouses to leading IT operations for one of the country’s most iconic airlines, I’ve come a long way. Each milestone has reinforced my belief in the power of innovation and the importance of leadership.
