Naresh Lalwani, the General Manager of Central Railway, concluded his remarkable 38-year journey within the Indian Railways on Thursday. Lalwani, known for his commitment to innovation and excellence, leaves behind a legacy of significant achievements.
As Naresh Lalwani bids adieu, RK Yadav is set to step into the role of General Manager, taking charge of one of the country's key railway zones. The transition marks a new chapter for Central Railway, and Yadav, known for his commendable track record, is poised to lead with dedication and expertise.
"Under Lalwani's leadership, Central Railway achieved a remarkable 16.67% increase in earnings, totaling ₹10,103.72 crores from passenger and freight services between April and October 2023. His strategic prowess was evident as Central Railway maintained its leadership in ticket checking, addressing 27.32 lakh cases and collecting fines amounting to an impressive ₹176.17 crores," said Dr Shivraj Manaspure chief public relations officer of CR.
"Record-breaking accomplishments included the loading of 49.03 million tons of goods, an 11.50% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Lalwani's tenure also witnessed the successful completion of 147.77 km of new lines and doubling projects, bringing the total to 1206.73 km of sections running at 130 kmph," further added Dr Manaspure.
A step towards sustainability
In a significant stride towards sustainability, Central Railway, under Lalwani's guidance, embraced 8.119 MWp of solar energy, aligning with Indian Railways' mission for Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030. This commitment extended to 100% electrification of all Broad Gauge routes, resulting in an annual reduction of 5.204 tons of carbon footprints and substantial cost savings of ₹1670 crores.
Under Lalwani's customer-centric approach, Central Railway introduced initiatives such as the CSMT-Solapur, CSMT-Sainagar Shirdi, CSMT-Madgaon, and Nagpur–Indore Vande Bharat Express trains. The addition of 'Vistadome' coaches to the Neral–Matheran Narrow gauge Toy train further enhanced passenger experiences.
Apart from that in adherence to the "Zero Scrap Mission," Central Railway achieved a scrap-free environment and generated revenue of ₹223.85 crores through the sale of scrap during the current financial year.
