Pune: Pune junction Station Manager AK Pathak has been promoted and designated as station director. He has taken over the charge from November 7.
During his budget speech for Rail Budget 2016, the then railway minister Suresh Prabhu had made the announcement that station directors would be appointed at 75 important railway stations (A1 grade stations) to improve the passenger interface and also to make one official responsible for all facilities.
Railway activists said now Pathak cannot escape responsibilities, as he used to when he was the station manager. Pune junction will soon have a new station manager working under the station director.
The station director will have to ensure that the station functions as an excellence centre for passengers. He has the additional responsibility to ensure vigilance, sensitive customer service. He should have a superior commercial sense.
"Issues related to railway passengers are addressed by the station director. Prompt, courteous and hassle-free service to customers, proper cleanliness and hygiene at the station and stationary trains, efficient working of booking and reservation office, punctuality of trains at the station, timely placement and withdrawal of rakes at platforms of the station, proper functioning, upkeep of all passenger amenities at the station, prompt grievance redressal, security of passengers will be handled by the station director," said Manoj Jhawar, Public Relation Officer, Pune railway division.
As per the list provided by Central Railway, eight stations, including Pune, were to get officers, who would head 'cross-functional teams' for the co-ordination of facilities as well as the generation of non-fare revenue.
Railway passenger activist Harsha Shah said, "Earlier, when passengers used to inform the station manager about problems, the manager would send them to the department. Now, as the station director, he will have to address the problems of passengers. The Pune junction comes under him. So, he cannot escape from the responsibilities," said Shah.
