Indian Railways bagged 17 awards in the field of efficient utilization and conservation of energy In ‘National Energy Conservation awards 2018’ held at New Delhi. This was the highest number of awards bagged by any institution in India, almost equal to 30% of the total awards. It is the result of railways’ continuous emphasis on the promotion of Clean and Green India. Railways had participated in three categories including railway stations, hospitals, and institutions.
Under ‘transport’ category, railways obtained 10 awards for the sub-sector railway station. Under ‘building’ category, it bagged three awards for sub-sector Railway hospitals. Also under ‘institution’ category, it got four awards for sub-sector state PWD, CPWD, and PHED.
The award ceremony was held on December 14 in the national capital. These awards are given by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) of the Ministry of Power under the Government of India to various Institutions for adopting Energy Efficiency measures for reducing energy consumption and the cost. Minister of Railways & Coal Piyush Goyal congratulated the Railway officials on their achievement and encouraged them to keep doing the good work.
The ten awards that railways received in the sub-sector of railway stations include Vidisha railway station in Madhya Pradesh which won the first prize, Jamnagar station in Gujarat bagged the second prize while certificates of merit were given to Dwarka, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Guwahati, Jaipur, and Kazipet respectively.
Railway hospitals of Izzatnagar won the first prize in the Railway Hospital sub-sector, while Railway Hospital of Rajkot division won second prize and Railway Hospital of Ratlam division was awarded a certificate of merit.
The four awards in the sub-sector of state PWD include Passenger Reservation System (PRS) complex building of Secunderabad division which won the first prize, rail Soudha zone HQ office building 2nd prize and certificates of merit to rail Nilayam in Secunderabad and Hyderabad Bhawan (DRM Hyderabad office).
Since the Modi Government came to power, Railways has done a lot of work in the field of innovation and public welfare; these awards are reflections of those efforts. Whether it be the introduction of ‘Vrat ki Thali’ on the auspicious occasion of Navratri or the launching of ‘Ramayana Express’ to connect the sites associated with Lord Ram’s journey during Vanvaas.
Also, Indian Railways is set to go to an extra mile to accommodate the pilgrims visiting the Kumbh Mela. Indian Railways has introduced new Kumbh special coaches which will be designed to emphasize the cultural, historical and religious importance of the Kumbh Mela.
Moreover, the announcement of Southern Railways regarding the stoppage of Vaigai Expresses (Train No. 12635 / 12636) for one minute at Srirangam on the eve of Vaikunta Ekadashi festival was welcomed by Hindu pilgrims. Railway has many-a-times gone out of the way to help the passengers in need. Whether it be the prompt replies to the tweet of passengers or dedicating a University of excellence (NRTI) for empowering the youth in the field of skill development, Indian Railways is setting a bar which is setting new precedents.
