Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday reviewed a series of measures aimed at empowering Station Masters to ensure safer, more efficient and passenger-centric railway operations across the Indian Railways network.
During a review meeting with senior railway officials, the minister discussed operational and administrative challenges faced by Station Masters and deliberated on a comprehensive framework to strengthen their role in station management.
According to the Ministry of Railways, proposals relating to enhanced administrative and operational powers, improved career progression and greater opportunities to rise to higher levels of management were reviewed. The measures are aimed at enabling quicker decision-making, improving passenger service delivery and ensuring better management of station infrastructure and associated facilities.
The meeting also focused on addressing manpower requirements in multi-track and high-density sections by providing additional Station Masters. Officials reviewed the need to fill vacancies in the cadre on a priority basis to meet growing operational demands.
Recognising the role of technology in improving efficiency, discussions were held on introducing mobile app-based paperless working systems and developing an integrated Station Management System to facilitate better coordination among various railway departments and ensure faster resolution of passenger-related issues.
The Railway Minister also emphasised the importance of skill development and capacity building. Officials discussed the use of Virtual Reality, simulators and other modern training technologies to equip Station Masters for increasingly complex railway operations and emergency situations.
To improve passenger convenience and expedite the resolution of local issues, proposals to enhance the financial powers of Station Masters were also reviewed. Greater empowerment at the station level is expected to facilitate timely maintenance and faster responses to passenger requirements.
The meeting further examined measures to improve career progression opportunities and create a more motivating work environment for Station Masters, enabling greater access to leadership positions within Indian Railways.
Safety-related issues were also discussed, with a focus on providing improved safety equipment and user-friendly tools at stations. The ministry noted that these measures are being considered in view of the increasing participation of women Station Masters and women Pointsmen in railway operations.
