Indian Railways celebrate “Railway Week” from 10th to 16th April every year in commemoration of the first train run on Indian soil on 16th April, 1853 between Boribunder and Thane. Accordingly, the 57th Railway Week is being celebrated from 10th to 16thApril, 2012. For Railways, it is an occasion to review and celebrate the performance in the previous year; to take stock of the situation and to chalk out the future course of action. During this period, All India level Performance Efficiency Shields will be presented by Railway Board to the Zonal Railways which have shown the best performance in various disciplines in the previous year. Further, the distinguished services of individual Officers / staff will also be recognized through Railway Minister’s Merit Awards at National level. Every year, Railway Board presents Govind Vallabh Pant Shield to a Zonal Railway for the overall best performance among the 17 Zonal Railways. South Central Railway bagged the prestigious Govind Vallabh Pant Efficiency Shield (jointly with Western Railway) from Railway Ministry in recognition of its overall best performance among all the 17 Zones of Indian Railways in 2011-12. SCR has bagged the coveted Shield after a gap of six years for it's exemplary performance on various fronts.In addition, South Central Railway got All India Performance Efficiency Shields in five disciplines Viz., Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Stores, Level Crossing & Road Over Bridge Safety Worksand Running Room also for commendable results achieved in the respective fields in 2011-12.
Shri G.N. Asthana, General Manager, South Central Railway along with the Principal Heads of Departments will receive these Shields from Shri Mukul Roy, Hon’ble Minister of Railway sat the Central Railway Week function to be held on 16th April, 2012 at Baroda House,New Delhi. Seventeen meritorious Officers / staff of South Central Railway who have been conferred with the prestigious Railway Minister’s individual Merit Award will also receive their awards at the central function