In a prestigious national ceremony, the East Central Railway (ECR) has been honoured with the coveted Best Security Shield for the year 2025. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented the award during the Railway Week function held in New Delhi on Friday, spotlighting the zone's outstanding and exemplary performance in safeguarding India's railway network.
ECR's Stellar Security Record in 2025
The shield was formally received by ECR General Manager Chhatrasal Singh and the Principal Chief Security Commissioner-cum-IG of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Amaresh Kumar. This top honour was bestowed upon the ECR following strong recommendations from the Railway Board, which adjudged it the best among all zonal railways. The evaluation was based on remarkable achievements in three critical areas: crime detection, passenger safety, and humanitarian operations.
Providing hard numbers to back the accolade, RPF IG Amaresh Kumar revealed that the ECR's security wing achieved an impressive 91% resolution rate in cases involving the unlawful possession of railway property. This figure stands as the highest success rate recorded across all railway zones in the country. In a parallel crackdown on the narcotics trade, the zone was also proactive, registering a substantial 844 cases related to banned substances and contraband.
Humanitarian Triumphs: Fighting Trafficking and Protecting Women
A particularly significant chapter of ECR's 2025 success story is written in its fight against human trafficking. Recognizing Bihar's status as a hotspot for this crime, the ECR RPF undertook extensive and coordinated rescue missions. Their efforts culminated in the rescue of 2,314 minors from the clutches of traffickers. Furthermore, the force's vigilance led to the arrest of 134 human traffickers, dealing a major blow to organised crime networks operating along the railway routes.
On the front of women's security, the ECR's dedicated 'Meri Saheli' initiative outshone similar teams in other zones. These teams provided consistent assistance, support, and protection to women passengers, with heightened vigilance during peak travel seasons, ensuring a safer journey for countless women.
Seamless Security at the Kumbh Mela: A Logistical Marvel
One of the most daunting challenges and, consequently, one of the RPF's most lauded achievements in 2025 was managing security during the Kumbh Mela. This mega gathering witnessed unprecedented passenger movement, posing immense challenges for crowd control and safety. The ECR RPF rose to the occasion, ensuring smooth crowd management, robust passenger safety, and the effective prevention of any untoward incidents throughout the event.
In his remarks, IG Amaresh Kumar stated that the award is a powerful testament to ECR's unwavering commitment. It underscores the zone's dedication to strengthening railway security, protecting passengers, and safeguarding valuable railway assets through sustained and well-coordinated efforts by the RPF and railway administration.
