53 Railway Employees Honored with Prestigious Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar
In a significant ceremony held in Gorakhpur on Thursday, the North Eastern Railway (NER) celebrated excellence by felicitating 53 of its employees with the esteemed Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar. The awards were presented during the 70th Rail Week event, recognizing outstanding contributions to railway operations and safety.
Recognition for Diverse Roles and Dedicated Service
The awardees represented a wide spectrum of railway functions, including track maintainers, technicians, station masters, loco pilots, clerks, inspectors, section engineers, medical staff, and officers from various departments. According to officials, their dedicated service has been instrumental in driving improved productivity, preventing accidents, and enhancing overall operational efficiency across the network.
NER General Manager Uday Borwankar personally presented the awards, highlighting the importance of such recognition in motivating staff to uphold high standards. "These honors aim to inspire our employees to maintain excellence in safety and passenger service," Borwankar stated, noting that the awards specifically acknowledge work performed throughout the year 2024.
Divisional and Station Awards for Excellence
Beyond individual accolades, several divisions and stations were also recognized for their superior performance:
- Lucknow Division received inter-divisional shields for overall efficiency, innovation, signal management, personnel, stores, traction energy, engineering, and mechanical performance.
- Gonda Loco Shed was awarded the loco maintenance shield for exceptional upkeep of locomotives.
- Varanasi Division won shields in public relations, telecom, electrical systems, safety protocols, and medical services.
- Izzatnagar Division was honored for achievements in safety, environment management, accounts, and operations.
Clean Station and Best-Maintained Rake Awards
The ceremony also spotlighted stations and trains that excelled in maintenance and cleanliness:
- Gorakhpur Junction secured the clean station trophy in the A1 and A categories.
- Rudrapur City Railway Station was recognized in the B category for cleanliness.
- Izzatnagar Railway Station received awards in the D and E categories.
- Shiv Ganga Express was adjudged the best-maintained rake, showcasing top-tier upkeep standards.
Commitment to Safety and Passenger Service
Emphasizing the core values of the railway, Borwankar reiterated NER's unwavering commitment to providing safe, secure, and comfortable travel for all passengers. He encouraged employees to continue setting new benchmarks in rail operations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
The 70th Rail Week award ceremony not only celebrated past achievements but also set a forward-looking tone, aiming to inspire all railway personnel to strive for higher performance and enhanced service delivery in the coming years.
