Assam: NFR Names Locomotive After Kirti Chakra Awardee
Northeast Frontier Railway rechristened a WDP4B locomotive to honour the bravery and sacrifice of Kirti Chakra awardee Captain Sunil Kumar Chowdhary.
GUWAHATI- The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has honoured the valour and supreme sacrifice of Captain Sunil Kumar Chowdhary, Sena Medal and Kirti Chakra (Posthumous) awardee of the 7/11 Gorkha Rifles, by rechristening WDP4B Locomotive No. 40024 in his name at the Siliguri Diesel Locomotive Shed.
Captain Chowdhary exemplified the core values of the Gorkha Regiment, including courage, discipline and unwavering commitment to duty.
During counter-insurgency operations in Assam, he displayed exceptional bravery and leadership, earning the Sena Medal. For his conspicuous gallantry beyond the call of duty and his ultimate sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, one of India’s highest peacetime gallantry awards.
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The WDP4B locomotive, a high-speed 4,500 horsepower twin-stroke diesel engine, is known for its reliability and performance under challenging operational conditions. Railway officials said the locomotive symbolises resilience, endurance and service—qualities that reflect the ethos of both the Indian Railways and the Indian Armed Forces.
By dedicating the locomotive in Captain Chowdhary’s honour, NFR sought to acknowledge the sacrifices made by armed forces and paramilitary personnel in safeguarding the nation against internal and external threats.
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Officials noted that the dedication holds particular significance for the Northeast and the Siliguri Corridor, regions closely associated with the Gorkha Regiments, which have played a crucial role in maintaining security and stability along India’s strategic frontiers.
Indian Railways, described as the lifeline of the nation and a critical enabler of connectivity in the Northeast, said the initiative reflects its respect for the legacy of military service and sacrifice.
As Locomotive No. 40024 operates across the railway network, it is expected to serve as a moving tribute, reminding railway personnel and the public of the bravery and dedication of India’s soldiers.
