Great move by Railways..
Officers and Railway Board will be made to travel in second class to experience situation on ground.
Also, my suggestion would be "when they are travelling don't let the Railway network know", otherwise they will get VIP treatment everywhere and stations would be cleaned in advance, vendors removed, the whole works.
In reality check, railway officers told to travel second class
Railway minister Suresh Prabhu has planned to observe the Narendra Modi-led government's first anniversary by sending his officers out in the field.
Sensing a strong disconnect between the railway officers - especially the ones making policies at Rail Bhavan - and the users of the state-run enterprise, Prabhu has asked them to move out of their airconditioned offices to see the ground situation.
The ministry is preparing a schedule for the officers to travel all over the country like ordinary passengers - in second class. "They have been asked to shun their luxury saloons that they generally use to travel and go in the second class. It is only when they experience the hardships faced by common passengers that they will probably come up with better policies," revealed a senior government official.
Prabhu's plan is not limited to exposing officials to the plight of passengers. He has also asked the railway board members to make weekly visits to various zones and see the conditions in which the railway officers are working in the field.
"There are several problems that the railway officials and other staff face during operations. The running rooms for the drivers are in a very bad state. The junior staff - like trackmen, trolley men, gatemen and watchmen; all responsible for safe operations - work in extremely poor conditions," said the official, requesting not to be named. "So the entire railway board including the chairman will visit the zones together for inspection," he added.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/in-reality-check-railway-officers-told-to-travel-second-class/articleshow/47276036.cms more
Also, my suggestion would be "when they are travelling don't let the Railway network know", otherwise they will get VIP treatment everywhere and stations would be cleaned in advance, vendors removed, the whole works.
In reality check, railway officers told to travel second class
Railway minister Suresh Prabhu has planned to observe the Narendra Modi-led government's first anniversary by sending his officers out in the field.
Sensing a strong disconnect between the railway officers - especially the ones making policies at Rail Bhavan - and the users of the state-run enterprise, Prabhu has asked them to move out of their airconditioned offices to see the ground situation.
The ministry is preparing a schedule for the officers to travel all over the country like ordinary passengers - in second class. "They have been asked to shun their luxury saloons that they generally use to travel and go in the second class. It is only when they experience the hardships faced by common passengers that they will probably come up with better policies," revealed a senior government official.
Prabhu's plan is not limited to exposing officials to the plight of passengers. He has also asked the railway board members to make weekly visits to various zones and see the conditions in which the railway officers are working in the field.
"There are several problems that the railway officials and other staff face during operations. The running rooms for the drivers are in a very bad state. The junior staff - like trackmen, trolley men, gatemen and watchmen; all responsible for safe operations - work in extremely poor conditions," said the official, requesting not to be named. "So the entire railway board including the chairman will visit the zones together for inspection," he added.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/in-reality-check-railway-officers-told-to-travel-second-class/articleshow/47276036.cms more
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The officials should also use the public restrooms not only the train but also at the railway stations and waiting rooms and see for themselves how "swacch" they are! That is where the real "Swacch Bharat abhiyaan" should be implemented. more
Jul 21
I had a horrific experience on 20th June 2015 when I travelled konkan1kanyakan kaMadgaonm Madgaon to CSTM. The scheduled departure to CSTM from Madgaon was shown on the web site at 16.45 hrs. After reaching rly stn AT 15.30 hrs, the scheduled departure was still showing same time. SUDDENLY , IT WAS CHANGED TO 1.00 Hrs next day! No explanation was given. After waiting for 8 hrs at station, the departure was rescheduled to 2.30 Am & acdeoartedeoarted at 3 am, after delay of 11hrs, with no explanation or any facility for waiting passengers. Is this not cruelty? Why Rly cannot give compensation or provide food & water for such inordinate delay? Why Rly cannot be prompt in displaying delayed departures? more
Jun 23
surprise visits should be on regular basis and should cover reservation centres,citizen amenities at stations etc. more
Jun 19
I fully agree with this suggestion. The railway officers should travel in second class as common man without reservation and without disclosing identity even to T.C. and security personnel. more
Jun 02
