Southern Railway commenced the observance of Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 on Monday, 26th October 2026, with the aim of fostering integrity and transparency among employees, rail users, stakeholders and the general public. The week-long programme, from 26th October to 1st November 2026, is being observed with emphasis on the theme “Probity for Prosperity”.
The inaugural ceremony at Southern Railway Headquarters in Chennai was graced by Shri T. Venkatasubramanian, Retired Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer, Southern Railway and former Chief Vigilance Officer of Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited and Coal India Limited, as the Chief Guest. Southern Railway General Manager Shri U. Subba Rao, Additional General Manager Shri Vipin Kumar, Senior Deputy General Manager and Chief Vigilance Officer Shri V. R. Lenin, Principal Heads of Departments, Divisional Railway Managers of the six divisions and Chief Workshop Managers participated in the event, with several joining through video conferencing. The General Manager administered the Integrity Pledge to all officers and staff of Southern Railway.
Shri U. Subba Rao, General Manager, highlighted that vigilance should not be viewed merely as a mechanism for detecting corruption or initiating disciplinary action. Its primary objective should be prevention through robust systems, simplified procedures, effective internal controls and greater transparency. He further emphasised that integrity is the collective responsibility of every officer and employee. He concluded by urging all employees to make “Probity in every decision, integrity in every action and prosperity for the nation” their guiding principle.
Chief Guest Shri T. Venkatasubramanian, in his keynote address, highlighted the following aspects:
- Emphasised leveraging technology to achieve organisational goals and improve efficiency.
- Highlighted e-hygiene as a key pillar of preventive vigilance and stressed the importance of training at all levels.
- Explained the benefits of e-Office in ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Shared practical insights on government contracts, tender publication and post-tender modifications.
- Cautioned that good drafting cannot cover logical inconsistencies and emphasised uniformity in official procedures.
Integrity Bulletin and Handbooks released
To mark the occasion, the Vigilance Department released the Integrity Bulletin 2026, featuring best practices and case studies. The following handbooks and guides were also released:
- Procedure for Handling Warranty Rejection
- Checklist for Civil Engineering Works
- System Improvements and Case Studies – Engineering Department
Throughout Vigilance Awareness Week, Southern Railway will conduct seminars, quiz competitions and outreach across all divisions and workshops. These initiatives will reinforce the message that vigilance is a continuous and collective responsibility.
