Maligaon, December 22 (MExN): Union Minister of Railways, Communications, and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, presented the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on December 21 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. A total of 101 railway officials and 22 shields for best-performing zones were honored during the ceremony, which was attended by Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, Shri Satish Kumar, alongside Railway Board members and General Managers from various zones and production units.
In his address, Vaishnaw highlighted Indian Railways’ ambitious journey towards modernization, emphasizing milestones like achieving 100% electrification by 2025, completing the Kashmir-to-Kanyakumari rail link, and advancing connectivity projects in North-East India. He spotlighted flagship initiatives, including Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains, freight corridors, and the introduction of bullet train services, which are set to redefine national connectivity.
The Minister underscored safety achievements, citing the reduction in consequential accidents from 345 to 90 incidents due to the implementation of the Kavach safety system. He praised the Amrit Bharat station redevelopment project for enhancing passenger amenities and environmental standards and announced upcoming features such as a Super Application aimed at improving passenger experience. Financial incentives for safe maintenance, quality, and training (SMQT) practices will be introduced next year to further modernize infrastructure.
From the North Frontier Railway (NFR), Raj Narayan Kumar, a Loco Pilot from Badarpur, and Rahul Kumar, a Senior Assistant Loco Pilot from Lumding, were among the distinguished awardees. Raj Narayan Kumar was lauded for his exceptional alertness in preventing a major accident during a landslide in Tripura, saving nearly 1,000 passengers. Rahul Kumar was recognized for his quick response in averting a potential mishap caused by a falling tree on the railway track during adverse weather.
Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, Satish Kumar, reiterated Indian Railways’ commitment to providing affordable, world-class services, supported by modernization and safety. He also emphasized the transformative role of the Amrit Bharat Station initiative in offering state-of-the-art facilities and lauded the team’s dedication to executing large-scale projects.
The Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar annually celebrates individual excellence and the outstanding performance of zones, fostering a culture of safety, efficiency, and innovation. This year’s ceremony reinforced Indian Railways’ dedication to modernization and service excellence.
