Title - Stationmasters lose red flag!

Technological advancement has come to such a state that now trains can run without the crucial decisions that a stationmaster used to make! To raise the punctuality of trains, the Trivandrum division directs stationmasters to give signal clearances for express trains as soon as they enter the stations and the decision as to when they can depart is to be taken by the loco pilot and guard, unlike the practice followed so far. The scheduled halt of express trains mentioned in the railway timetable at major stations may be between two to five minutes. But the new circular issued by top divisional authorities on July 6 has resulted in trains leaving the station much quicker as the loco pilot can start running the train after ensuring that all the passengers have boarded, sources said. “Now there is no guarantee that the train may halt the full two minutes (as per the timetable) at a particular station. The worst affected are patients, women and elderly people. Already complaints have been filed at stations like Chalakudy, where a patient could not board the train though the ticket was reserved as it started chugging out of the station within moments of stopping there,” sources said. Though the move is aimed at achieving 95 per cent punctuality, it may result in compromising the safety of people especially during the night when the loco pilot/guard cannot properly ensure that there are no more commuters left to board the train. “Another plan of the division is to take away the post of deputy station manager/superintendent (co-ordination) at major stations. Upon implementing it, there will be no official in the station who can ensure that no passengers are left behind or to delay the train in an emergency situation,” the official said.