Western Railway used the observance of its 70th Railway Week in Mumbai to draw attention to a crucial but often understated pillar of urban transport systems: the people who keep them running. At a ceremony held at a central city auditorium, the zonal railway recognised employees for sustained service excellence, reinforcing the idea that workforce performance underpins the safety, reliability, and resilience of one of India’s busiest suburban rail networks.
The annual awards programme comes against the backdrop of mounting pressure on Mumbai’s transport infrastructure, driven by rising commuter volumes, climate-related challenges, and the need to modernise ageing assets. Railway officials said the initiative was designed to acknowledge staff members who consistently delivered results while navigating the daily operational complexity of stations, signalling systems, workshops, rolling stock maintenance, and passenger services.
This year, 92 officers and employees from across Western Railway received the Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025 for meritorious service. Senior officials noted that the recognition goes beyond ceremony, acting as an internal benchmark for accountability and performance. In a network that transports millions of passengers every day, even incremental gains in operational discipline and response times can significantly improve punctuality, safety, and commuter trust.
Urban transport specialists say human capital is frequently overlooked in discussions dominated by large capital investments. “Cities depend not just on assets but on the people who operate them, especially during peak demand or extreme weather events,” said an urban mobility specialist. According to experts, structured recognition helps embed best practices and retain institutional knowledge within large public systems.
The ceremony also reflected a shift in how public transport agencies measure success, increasingly linking individual effort to wider organisational outcomes such as energy efficiency, service continuity, and an inclusive passenger experience. Western Railway’s suburban services play a vital role in easing road congestion and lowering transport-related emissions in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, positioning operational excellence as a contributor to low-carbon mobility goals.
Senior departmental heads, divisional managers, workshop leaders, and representatives of the railway’s women’s welfare organisation attended the event, signalling broad institutional support. Officers who had earlier received national-level honours were also felicitated again at the zonal level, strengthening the link between national priorities and regional execution. Cultural performances accompanied the proceedings, in keeping with Railway Week tradition.
Officials said future focus areas would include skill development, safety enhancement, and service reliability—critical priorities as Mumbai expands and climate resilience becomes central to urban planning.
Source: Urban Acres
