Palakkad Divisional Railway Manager Madhukar Roat (second from left) and his colleagues lift the Southern Railway’s overall efficiency trophy.
The Palakkad Railway Division was ecstatic on Thursday, having been awarded the prestigious Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar during the 70th Railway Week celebrations.
West Coast Express (train number 22638) maintained at Mangaluru depot has been recognised as the best maintained train in Southern Railway, while Palakkad Junction Railway Station has taken top honours as the best kept station in the region.
In addition to several performance shields, the division also bagged the General Manager’s Overall Efficiency Shield, the highest honour conferred on any division in the Southern Railway.
The staff at Palakkad Railway Division headquarters posing for a photo with the trophies the division won.
Divisional Railway Manager Madhukar Roat, who led the celebrations, said it was a moment of pride for the division. “Our division topped in the Southern Railway for efficiency, innovation and overall excellence,” said Mr. Roat.
The other awards the Palakkad division received were in functional domains like engineering efficiency, mechanical efficiency, personnel efficiency, manpower planning efficiency, work study efficiency, Rail Madad performance, and electrical energy conservation.
According to Mr. Roat, West Coast Express bagging the best maintained train award highlighted the dedication of Mangaluru coaching depot staff in upholding rigorous maintenance standards, technical excellence, and cleanliness practices.
Palakkad Divisional Manager Madhukar Roat (middle) addressing the media at his office at Olavakode on Thursday.
Mr. Roat said 16 stations in the Palakkad division were being modernised under the Amrit Bharat scheme. While two stations were inaugurated, several others were ready for inauguration. Kannur station would be the last among the 16 to be inaugurated in March next year.
The DRM attributed the Palakkad division’s consistent performance to strategic planning, continuous monitoring, and a culture of responsibility and innovation that permeated all departments.
Additional Divisional Railway Managers S. Jayakrishnan and K. Anil Kumar accompanied Mr. Roat.
Published – October 09, 2025 08:33 pm IST
