Members of Adra divisional cultural association perform kathak at the rail week celebration in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, April 17: General manager of East Coast Railway (ECoR) Arvind Kumar Vohra today asked railway employees to give priority to safety issues and address the problems of passengers in a more effective manner.

Speaking at a state-level event to mark the celebration of the 56th Railway Week, Vohra complemented the railway men for their effort in achieving record performance.

ECoR has achieved a record freight loading of 109 million tonnes exceeding the target of 2010-11 and the loading achieved during previous year. The total earnings of ECoR have also registered a significant growth of 26 per cent over previous year at Rs 8851.50 crore.

Among others, the president of the East Coast Railway Womens’ Welfare Organisation, Anita Vohra, senior deputy general manager and chief vigilance officer Subrat Tripathy and deputy general manager Sanjeev Mehta also spoke on the occasion. A total of 249 selected band of dedicated railway employees including staff and officers were felicitated for their outstanding services during 2010-11.

The overall efficiency shield was awarded to Visakhapatnam division for the best all-round performance in respect of civil engineering, commercial, mechanical, medical and security departments. Sambalpur division was presented the safety shields, accounts shields, operating shields, personnel shields and signal and telecom shields for their outstanding performance in these respective fields.

On the other hand, the prestigious rajbhasha shield was awarded to Khurda Road division. The Electrical Engineering Shield was given to Khurda Road and Visakhapatnam division jointly.

Laxmipur Road station was adjudged as the cleanest small station and Vizianagaram station was presented the cleanest major station shield.