Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Honors Exceptional Railway Service with ‘Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar’ at 68th Railway Week Central Function

In a momentous ceremony at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Union Minister of Railways, Communications & Electronics, and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, bestowed the prestigious ‘Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar’ (AVRSP) upon 100 exemplary Railway Employees from diverse Zones, Divisions, Production Units, and Railway PSUs across the nation. The recognition celebrated their remarkable contributions and outstanding services. Additionally, the Minister presented 21 Shields to commend efforts in promoting best practices among Railway employees.

The 68th Railway Week Central Function witnessed the presence of Chairperson & CEO and Members of the Railway Board, General Managers of Zonal Railways, and heads of Production Units of Railways and PSUs of Railways.

During her welcome address, Chairperson of the Railway Board, Ms. Jaya Varma Sinha, highlighted the notable achievements of Indian Railways in recent years, including the introduction of 34 new Vande Bharat trains for passenger transportation and the redevelopment of 1309 stations under Amrit Bharat, aimed at enhancing overall passenger experience and saving time. Ms. Sinha emphasized the focus on Rail safety, incorporating advanced technology such as ‘kavach’ to enhance safety measures.

Looking towards the future, she outlined upcoming initiatives like Mission 3000 million tonnes of freight, increasing speed in GQGD, and connecting all unconnected regions, including the northeast and Jammu Kashmir.

Congratulating the awardees, Ms. Sinha expressed that the excellence and commitment demonstrated by these individuals are propelling the railways to new heights, asserting that the railways will play a pivotal role in transforming India into a developed nation.

In his address, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw lauded the awardees for their exceptional contributions, emphasizing the ongoing transformation within the Railways under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He highlighted the substantial progress in electrification, attributing the achievement to the removal of financial hindrances by merging the railways budget with the general budget in 2015.

Vaishnaw asserted that the railways are fulfilling people’s expectations, and under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the sector is experiencing a golden period. He commended the commitment of railway employees, noting their crucial role in developing railway infrastructure at a record pace.

Addressing the economic impact, Vaishnaw discussed potential savings in logistics costs, emphasizing the efficiency of railway transportation in reducing fuel consumption and costs for the nation. He envisioned India’s economic growth trajectory, predicting a rise to the third position globally by 2027 under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

In conclusion, Vaishnaw commended the railway employees for their dedication, expressing confidence in their continued efficiency, motivation, and contribution to the nation’s development.