EASTERN RAILWAY CELEBRATES 79th INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH PRIDE & PATRIOTISM

EASTERN RAILWAY CELEBRATES 79th INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH PRIDE & PATRIOTISM

Milind Deouskar, General Manager of Eastern Railway, led the 79th Independence Day Celebration at Eastern Railways Headquarters, Fairlie Place, Kolkata, on Friday morning, August 15, 2025. The ceremony began with Deouskar, General Manager hoisting the National Flag at Eastern Railway Headquarters followed by the resonant strains of the National Anthem played by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) band. Patriotic songs and cultural programs, performed by railway employees, celebrated the spirit of nationalism and unity.

The event witnessed the presence of Seema Deouskar, President of Eastern Railway Women Welfare Organization (ERWWO),Sheelendra Pratap Singh, Additional General Manager, all Principal Heads of Departments, ERWWO members, representatives of unions and associations, media personnel, and Railway employees who participated Independence Day celebrations with pride. Paying tribute to the martyrs of the freedom struggle, Shri Deouskar reflected the contribution of ER?s staff & officers in developing Railways and effectively contributing for a stronger, self-reliant & progressive India.

Highlighting operational milestones, he informed that Eastern Railway crossed the 100 MT mark in freight loading for the first time in 2024?25, with a 17% increase in earnings. In the current financial year till July, freight loading reached 32.60 MT towards a target of 107 MT, while passenger numbers touched 425 million, the highest ever for this period. The year saw the introduction of three new express trains, two passenger train pairs, and sixteen new EMU services, with Vande Bharat Express (Howrah?Bhagalpur) soon to be extended to Jamalpur. AC EMU services have been launched between Sealdah and Ranaghat, while 587 Summer Special trains and 1,550 Shravani Mela Special trains, 46% more than last year, were operated for passenger convenience.

On infrastructure and speed enhancements, Shri Deouskar mentioned the conversion of seven rakes from ICF to LHB coaches, augmentation of 739 coaches (52 permanent and 687 temporary), speed upgrades of 12 Mail/Express trains to 130 kmph and sectional speed increases over 235 route km. The completion of five Non-Interlocking works, commissioning of three electronic interlockings, redevelopment of five ?Amrit Stations?, and commissioning of key bridges and new lines have further strengthened the network.

Safety and security remain paramount, with Eastern Railway maintaining a 20-month record without consequential train accidents. From April to July 2025, the RPF rescued 485 children under Operation Nanhe Farishtey, returned passenger belongings worth Rs. 1.88 crore under Operation Amanat, saved 18 lives under Mission Jeevan Raksha, and apprehended 134 criminals under Operation Yatri Suraksha. CCTV surveillance now covers 236 stations, with 70 added this year.

On the environmental front, 4.267 lakh saplings have been planted so far this financial year, 13,733 energy-efficient BLDC fans have been installed, and 33.28 lakh kWh of solar power generated at Liluah Workshop has saved ₹1.34 crore. Eastern Railway has also received a Certification of Excellencefrom IGBC for its green initiatives.

Financial performance has been equally strong, with record scrap sales of Rs. 538 crore in 2024?25, surpassing the Railway Board?s target by 12%, and Rs. 153 crore earned from scrap sales till July 2025. Healthcare facilities have seen major upgrades, with the procurement of a 3 Tesla MRI machine, installation of a 128-slice CT scanner, expansion of ICCU facilities, and the launch of telemedicine services. Staff welfare measures include the introduction of AI-driven apps for training and grievance redressal, online meal booking, smart classrooms, and the opening of a new holiday home at Shantiniketan for non-gazetted staff.

Eastern Railways workshops have performed remarkably, with Kanchrapara Workshop exceeding EMU/MEMU coach POH targets, Jamalpur Workshop manufacturing 320 wagons of various types and Liluah Workshop completing the first-ever SS-I overhaul of 62 Vande Bharat coach sets.

In sports, Eastern Railway hosted major national championships and celebrated multiple gold medal wins in gymnastics, boxing, and archery, with international representation by its athletes. The newly launched chess academy Lakshya and reduced sports fees for wards of railway employees aim to encourage more participation.

The Eastern Railway Women Welfare Organization has continued impactful social welfare initiatives, including cleanliness drives, tree plantation, and food distribution to the underprivileged. Concluding the celebrations,Deouskar commended the dedication of the workforce and reaffirmed Eastern Railways unwavering commitment to safety, excellence, sustainability and nation-building.