Mumbai gets its first station director at CST

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) will be the first railway station in Mumbai to get a station director (SD) following Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu’s announcement in the railway budget this year. The Asian Age had reported on June 14 this year that senior officers would replace station masters (SMs) as head. The post of SD is that of a junior administrative officer and will be above that of the current SM on major railway stations; it was envisaged to allow passengers direct access to higher grade officials.

Officials said that the SD will have executive powers currently not enjoyed by SMs. “CST enjoys the tag of world heritage structure but over the years, as the crowd has kept increasing at the station, it needs the kind of care an official with some power to make quick decisions can give. If the SD feels that the station needs an extra counter when the queue is too long during peak hours, he can open an emergency counter or allot a facilitator at an automatic ticket vending machine,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

The railway board sent in orders on Friday afternoon where the role of the SD has been defined. Mumbai Central and Churchgate stations on Western Railway (WR) will soon get SDs, the official said.

Exact role of the SD Hassle-free service to customers Proper cleanliness and hygiene at stations and inside stationary trains Efficient working of booking and reservation offices Punctuality of trains at stations, timely placement and withdrawal of rakes at platforms of stations Proper functioning, upkeep/repairs of all passenger amenities at the station Upkeep of passenger enquiry system, display board etc. Prompt grievance redressal