Directors to look after rail stations

Just like airports, all major railway stations in the country would now have a station director, who would be the overarching authority regarding all passenger amenities, including cleanliness, quality of food and efficient working of the booking and reservation offices. The said officer would also be responsible for generating revenue for the railways.

The of railway ministry has identified 75 A1 category or most important stations to roll out this scheme. Out of this, 12 stations would get a station director in the first phase. Among these are Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Old Delhi and New Delhi Railway stations, Howrah and Sealdah stations and the Chennai central. A1 category railway stations are those which have the highest revenue earnings from passenger travel. The station directors in the remaining 63 stations would be posted by the December 30. The station directors would be supported by cross-functional teams and suitably empowered to undertake these functions effectively.

Suitable cash imprest shall also be provided to enable execution of tasks at the stations. They will also be involved in raising revenue from “non-fare box”, like commercial advertisements at that station, according to an official note of the ministry for railways.

Among the main tasks of the station directors would be to ensure prompt, courteous and hassle-free service to customers. Proper cleanliness and hygiene at stations and stationary trains, efficient working of booking and reservation offices and upkeep of passenger enquiry systems and display boards would also be a part of their job profile, the note added.

The director would also monitor the services of catering and vending stalls at stations as well as take care of the security of passengers.

Senior Railway Ministry officials said that no separate cadre would be created for the post of the station directors and the positions would be manned by the Traffic (both Commercial and Operations) Department. They will be supported by a team of officer upto Assistant officer level from other departments like civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and Signal and Telecom depending upon the functional requirements at the stations. According to the official note, the officers to be selected as station directors should have adequate experience in operations and commercial working.