Ashwini Vaishnaw Presents 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar, Outlines Bold Roadmap for Next-Gen Indian Railways

New Delhi: Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology,  Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday presented the 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar (2025) to 100 outstanding railway officials, along with 26 Shields awarded to Railway Zones for excellence across multiple performance categories. The awards ceremony was held at the India International Convention and Expo Centre (Yashobhoomi), Dwarka.

The event was attended by Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board Satish Kumar, members of the Railway Board, and senior officials from various Railway Zones and production units.

Addressing the gathering, Vaishnaw said that Indian Railways must undergo a decisive transformation to fulfil the vision of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Railways by 2047. He lauded the commitment and hard work of railway personnel, stating that their efforts have helped overcome legacy constraints, expand operational capacity, and deliver major infrastructure and service improvements.

The Railway Minister highlighted that extensive track laying and network expansion have significantly enhanced capacity. He also noted the successful operation of special trains during peak travel periods such as Diwali–Chhath, Christmas, and the summer rush, ensuring smoother passenger movement and setting new operational benchmarks.

Vaishnaw announced an ambitious reform agenda for 2026 titled “52 Weeks, 52 Reforms”, under which one major reform will be implemented every week. These reforms will span key areas including passenger services, maintenance systems, production units, quality management, healthcare services, and operational efficiency. He said structured workshops are being conducted across departments to identify bottlenecks, redefine standards, and implement time-bound solutions.

The Union Minister outlined a six-point resolution framework to guide Indian Railways in the coming years:

• Comprehensive systemic reforms with strict timelines across all functional areas to improve accountability and execution

• Accelerated adoption of technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence, covering rolling stock, track systems, signalling, and predictive maintenance

• Upgradation of maintenance practices, replacing outdated methods with modern, safety-driven standards

• Unwavering focus on safety, aiming to significantly reduce serious accidents through improved training, technology, and daily monitoring

• Transformation of training and skill development, making continuous learning essential and linking it with career progression using modern simulators and digital tools

• Mindset change, including moving away from colonial-era thinking, empowering young officers, promoting indigenous solutions, and taking pride in Made-in-India innovations now gaining global acceptance

He also stressed the importance of engaging startups and innovators, encouraging railway employees to actively contribute ideas, and rapidly scaling successful innovations across the national network. With a young workforce and reform-oriented approach,  Vaishnaw said Indian Railways is well positioned to emerge as a global benchmark in the transport sector.

Speaking on the occasion,  V. Somanna congratulated award recipients and described Indian Railways as one of the world’s largest service organisations. He credited railway employees for ensuring safe, reliable, and comfortable journeys for millions of passengers every day.

Highlighting infrastructure milestones,  Somanna referred to the expansion of rail connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern region, calling them engineering achievements that have strengthened national unity. He also mentioned initiatives such as Amrit Bharat trains, Namo Bharat services, and the upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper, which will further enhance long-distance travel. He noted that rapid electrification and sustainability initiatives are steering Indian Railways towards greener operations.

Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board  Satish Kumar said Indian Railways has evolved into a modern, safety-focused, and passenger-centric organisation. Emphasising that safety remains the top priority, he highlighted advancements in signalling systems, electronic interlocking, elimination of unmanned level crossings, advanced track monitoring, and other safety measures.

On freight operations, Satish Kumar said Indian Railways is setting new standards through multimodal and door-to-door logistics solutions, making a significant contribution to economic growth. He also marked the completion of 100 years of railway electrification, calling it a historic milestone in the organisation’s journey.

The Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar is conferred annually to recognise exceptional service by railway personnel. The awards include individual honours for exemplary contribution and Shields for Zones demonstrating outstanding overall performance, reaffirming Indian Railways’ commitment to efficiency, safety, and passenger satisfaction.