The Indian Railways has recognised 101 railway employees and officers across various zones with the prestigious ‘Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar’ for their exemplary contributions to safety, innovation, revenue generation, and operational excellence. Among the awardees are two employees from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), celebrated for their remarkable dedication and acts of bravery that safeguarded both lives and property.
The recipients from NFR, Raj Narayan Kumar and Rahul Kumar, will be honoured by the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, at a ceremony on 21st December 2024 at Bhartiya Mandapam, New Delhi.
Raj Narayan Kumar, a Loco Pilot (Goods) from Badarpur, earned the award for his swift action and presence of mind during a critical incident on the Dharmanagar-Agartala Passenger Special train in Tripura. While operating the train through the Baramura hill ranges, Kumar encountered a massive landslide blocking the tracks amid heavy rainfall. Carrying approximately 1,000 passengers, the train was halted just 100 metres from the debris due to his prompt application of emergency brakes. His decisive response and coordination with railway authorities averted a potential disaster.
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Rahul Kumar, a Senior Assistant Loco Pilot from Lumding, was recognised for his vigilance during severe weather conditions while operating train 15612 DN. He detected a tree about to fall onto the track, posing a significant safety risk. Acting quickly, he and the Loco Pilot applied emergency brakes, successfully preventing damage to the train and ensuring the safety of its passengers.
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