Four railway stations to get directors

​Hyderabad: Buoyed by the successful functioning of railway station director, a role designed on the lines of an airport manager, the South Central Railway (SCR) is planning to replicate model in four more station directors at Nampally, Kacheguda, Tirupati and Vijayawada railway stations.

The provision for the station director was made in the last year’s Railway Budget with an aim to convert A-1 railway stations (that have a turnover of Rs 10 crore a year) into ‘excellent centres for customers.’

In all, a total of 12 station directors were appointed in various cities across Indian Railways and under SCR,Vasudev Reddy assumed charge as Station Director at Secunderabad Railway Station in October.

Unlike the station masters, who are required to obtain permission from the headquarters for any change they propose to make, station directors are vested with more administrative and financial powers. Traffic, mechanical, electrical and civil wings do also come under station director’s control.

Thanks to the additional powers of the station director, one of the tangible benefits accrued at the Secunderabad station is the reduction in the waiting time on outer areas of incoming trains. Vasudev Reddy said, “Today no train is allowed to wait for more than three minutes at the outer area.

In case of delay strict action is being taken.” In the past there had been instances when incoming trains did not get passage even for 15-20 minutes. Also, the originating punctuality has risen from 91 per cent to 96 per cent since October last year.

Speaking about the proper utilisation of railway staff, utilities and increasing revenue, Vasudev Reddy said, “The AC waiting halls, which were not getting us enough revenue, have been given to private parties and they bring in a revenue of Rs 1 lakh a month and the 12 railway staff who were earlier manning the waiting halls were shifted to other places.”

Another change that is visible at the railway station is the reduced congestion at the station. A team comprising a Health Inspector, two Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and a TT man the platform number one and clear the vehicles and also penalise people for not making way.

Senior officials said a number of people used to miss boarding trains due to traffic congestion which prompted the decision to form a team which is already showing results.

When asked about his future plans for Secunderabad railway station, Vasudev Reddy said that exciting times lay ahead as the bidding process for station redevelopment is underway and the station would get a facelift beyond imagination.