As part of cost-cutting measures, the Trivandrum Railway division is planning to do away with the posts of platform station masters wherever cabin (signal tower) is available – a move that might compromise with safety.
To start with, this would be done at the Kollam Junction and Kanyakumari stations. “There’s a proposal to do away with the deputy station manager (Platform) post and three other posts in Kollam. Also, the process would be extended to Ernakulam (North and South), Thrissur, Nagarcoil and Kayamkulam stations at a later stage,” a Railway official said.
The Railway Board had stated in a 2003 order that if the line capacity utilisation of stations was over 85 per cent, then posts like deputy station managers (platform) were “essential.” In Kerala, the line capacity utilisation is above 100 per cent, and hence and the decision would appear to be in violation of the 2003 order.
The Railway’s move comes at a time when 39 vacancies exist in the station master cadre. “This will surely burden the station masters who are already facing multiplicity, complexity and role conflict woes.
Their nature of work is very important, as a small mistake can result in accidents,” P. Raju, former railway official and ex-general manager, RITES Urban Transport, said.
While welcoming cost-cutting measures, the all India station masters’ association cautioned that the move might add to the pressure of the station masters.