Western Railway wins two honours at Build India Infra Awards 2026
· Free Press Journal
Western Railway has brought laurels by winning two awards at the Build India Infra Awards 2026, a national platform that recognises excellence in infrastructure development with a strong focus on innovation, impact and sustainability. The awards ceremony was held on February 24, 2026, in New Delhi. The Guests of Honour at the ceremony were Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways; C R Patil, Minister for Jal Shakti; Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways; V Somanna, Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti; and Shripad Naik, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy. The jury panel comprised visionaries, industry leaders and seasoned professionals. A total of 146 nominations were received across categories such as roads, rail and transport.
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The honours for the railway sector were presented by V Somanna, Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, and received by Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway. The awards were conferred for two significant initiatives of Western Railway: the manufacturing of India’s first 9,000 HP electric locomotive at Dahod in Gujarat and the Digital Lounge and Co-Working Space at Mumbai Central station. These recognitions reaffirm Western Railway’s commitment to nation-building through advanced technology and passenger-centric infrastructure.
The award for manufacturing excellence was received for the first 9,000 horsepower electric locomotive produced at the Dahod Electric Locomotive Manufacturing Plant. The high-power locomotive is designed to significantly enhance freight carrying capacity and operational efficiency of Indian Railways. The locomotive is manufactured using green energy and has a green manufacturing tag.
Western Railway’s Digital Lounge and Co-Working Space at Mumbai Central railway station was recognised for innovation in passenger amenities and non-fare revenue generation. Developed over an area of approximately 1,700 sq ft., the facility has been designed to cater to the evolving needs of modern travellers, particularly business professionals and remote workers who require a productive work environment while on the move. The Digital Lounge offers high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity, dedicated meeting and conference rooms, and spaces suitable for virtual meetings and video conferencing. It also provides self-service light refreshments. The project is a step towards aligning station infrastructure with India’s rapidly growing digital economy and flexible working culture.
The Build India Infra Awards celebrate transformative infrastructure projects that create meaningful social and economic impact while promoting innovation and sustainable development. The twin honours at the Build India Infra Awards 2026 reflect Western Railway’s forward-looking approach to technological advancement, infrastructure modernisation and enhancement of passenger experience, while contributing significantly to the vision of a developed and self-reliant India.