The Indian Railways has decided to award 101 employees and officers with the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar. The selected employees and officers will be Honoured by the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on December 21, 2024, at a grand ceremony in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Four railway personnel have been selected from South Western Railway for the award for their outstanding efforts in innovation, increasing Railway revenue, improving productivity, reducing dependence on imports, and promoting the use of indigenous technology and protection of life and property of Railways. The Employees and their achievement are as follows: -

Shivanand T (Head Constable, Davangere, Mysuru Division)

On 07.07.2023, while on platform duty at Davanagere station, noticed an elderly man stuck on the track as train no. 12778 approached. Acting swiftly, jumped onto the track and rescued him, preventing a potential tragedy. This timely action saved the man’s life.

Dinesh N Golenavar (Technician, Grade I, Diesel Loco Shed, Hubballi)

Through critical modifications and repairs of HHP Diesel Electric locomotive modules at Diesel Loco Shed, Hubli, significant savings of Rs. 5.94 crore were achieved, reducing foreign exchange costs by avoiding imports from Electro Motive Diesel.

Raja (Technician, Grade III Bengaluru Division)

Innovative modifications were made to improve safety and efficiency in Vande Bharat and MEMU rakes, including securing transformer filters, streamlining traction motor filter cleaning, and fabricating safety grills to prevent accidents. Loco pilot seats in MEMU rakes were redesigned for enhanced comfort and reduced fatigue.

Sreejith J B (Track Maintainer-IV Hubballi Division)

Displayed exemplary hard work and dedication during landslide and untoward incidents in the Castle Rock Ghat section.