Patna: Sonepur division of the East Central Railway (ECR) awarded eight railway staff, including pointsman, patrolman, gang man and traffic manager, for showing promptness in averting train accidents. Sonepur divisional railway manager (DRM), Vivek Bhushan Sood, said the railway employees were awarded for their alertness and swift responses in preventing serious accidents over the past two months. Talking to this newspaper on Wednesday, Sood said the recognition ceremony was held at the Sonepur division headquarters on Tuesday where certificates of appreciation and Rs 2,000 each were presented to the employees, who exhibited exceptional diligence and professionalism while on duty. These railway staff were lauded for their ability to identify critical issues related to rail and weld fractures at various locations within the division, ensuring safety of passengers and train operations, he said. According to the DRM, these rail fractures, if left unnoticed, could have led to serious accidents, jeopardising the safety of both passengers and the railway infrastructure. Thanks to the alertness of the staff, these potential risks were swiftly addressed, allowing for immediate repairs or temporary halts to prevent further damage at places like Khagaria, Shahpur Kamal, Naugachia, Bachwara and Umeshnagar. Speaking on the occasion, the DRM expressed his appreciation for the alertness shown by the railway staff and stressed the division’s commitment to maintaining high standards of safety in all its operations. “Rail safety is our top priority, and it is because of the dedicated employees like these that we can prevent accidents and ensure the safe travel of millions of passengers every day,” Sood said, adding recognition of these staff serves as a reminder of the vital role railway employees play in maintaining the integrity of the rail network and safeguarding lives.
