(Info) RRB: Categories of Indian Railways Stations

(Info) RRB: Categories of Indian Railways Stations

Comprehensive Instruction on Provision of Passenger Amenities:

1. GENERAL:

1.1. With the quickening pace of modernisation now sweeping the country, the Railway travelers today expect much more from the System than they did in the past.

1.2 To be able to fulfill this increased expectation on the part of our passengers, it is necessary that we take another look at the quantum of facilities provided at our stations, and lay down certain standards to follow policy initiatives for ensuring high quality passenger amenities. This is of particular importance in view of the year 2006-07 having been declared as the year of “ Passenger service with a smile” by the Hon’ble Minister of Railways in his Budget Speech 2006, and his thrust on bringing about a perceptible improvement in “Touch and Feel” items, which affect passenger satisfaction the most .

1.3. While planning for provision/augmentation of stations, due consideration needs to be given to the importance of the station from point of view of passenger traffic. Stations have, therefore, been divided into seven categories.

2. CATEGORIZATION OF STATIONS:

2.1. Stations have been categorised in seven categories, i.e. A1, A, B, C, D, E & F depending upon the earnings which is an indicator of the passenger traffic. Criteria for categorisation of stations are enclosed as Annexure ‘A’.

2.2. All suburban stations have been included in category ‘C’ in order to accord a higher priority to these stations in view of a large number of passengers using them.

2.3. The categorisation shall be reviewed every five years. However, the next review will be carried out in F.Y- 2007-08, based on the earnings of 2006-07- to be worked as per para

2.4 below. The number of stations falling under various categories as per December, 2003 review, would remain unchanged till next review is done.

2.5. Annual Passenger Earnings: This is an important parameter for deciding upon the category of a station. It consists of earnings from both reserved and unreserved passengers. With introduction of PRS, the earnings accruing at a PRS center may not reflect the actual earnings of that station. Therefore, earnings in respect of reserved passengers should be taken on the basis of Passengers boarding the trains from the station and the same should be obtained from various PRS centers from where the passengers for those stations are booked. In respect of earnings from unreserved passengers, the data should be collected from the tickets sold, through SPTM/UTS, card tickets, etc. The method for calculating earnings from UTS (unreserved ticketing system) for passengers boarding the trains at a station would be same as that for PRS.

3. MINIMUM ESSENTIAL AMENITIES(MEA):

3.1. When a station is constructed, certain minimum amenities are required to be provided at each category of station (on the basis of projected traffic/earnings).

These were earlier termed as basic amenities/infrastructural facilities and will now be called Minimum Essential Amenities(MEA).

3.2. Minimum Essential Amenities required to be provided in each category of station are listed in Annexure ‘B’. Norms for Quantum of Minimum Essential Amenities are prescribed in Annexure ‘C’. Availability of these amenities will have to be ensured. Railways will immediately undertake a survey to confirm availability of the minimum amenities as per the prescribed scale, at all the stations on the basis of passenger traffic, to be worked out based on para 2.3 and take necessary action for removing all deficiencies in the MEA within 2 years.
Subsequently, quinquenial review is to be conducted with respect to availability of minimum essential amenities vis-a-vis category of stations at that time.

4. RECOMMENDED AMENITIES:

Provision of Amenities as per recommended norms.

4.1. The availability of amenities at station as per norms of “Minimum Essential Amenities” (vide Annexure ‘B’ & ‘C’) may not be commensurate with the actual passenger traffic dealt at the station. Hence, the requirement of actual amenities based on traffic as per the norms laid down in Annexure ‘D’ should be worked out and any augmentation based on this, will be known as Recommended Amenities.

4.2. Powers of GM of the Railway to review – In case quantum of amenities as worked out on the basis of norms for Recommended Amenities in Annexure D is less than quantum prescribed for Minimum Essential Amenities in Annexure ‘C’, the actual quantum of Minimum Essential Amenities to be provided could be reduced, with the approval of GM
and Board should be intimated of the same. No further delegation is permitted for such approval.

4.3 Provision of recommended level of amenities at stations, which is a parameter of adequacy of the scale of amenities provided as per actual passenger strength, has not received adequate attention. Rlys should review the existing facilities vis-a-vis requirements for recommended amenities and a time-bound action plan be made for augmenting shortfalls, as a thrust area.

5. DESIRABLE AMENITIES:

5.1. Desirable amenities are those amenities which are considered desirable to improve customer satisfaction and interface process at the station. The quantum of these amenities would depend upon the category of the station. A comprehensive list of the desirable amenities is given in Annexure ‘E’.

5.2. It should be noted that provision of Desirable amenities need not wait for complete provision of the Recommended Amenities. Various amenities out of the list given in Annexure ‘E’ should be provided based on the need and relative importance of the station.

6. UPGRADED AMENITIES AT MODEL STATIONS:

6.1. For the purpose of upgradation of ameniti

6.1. For the purpose of upgradation of amenities, some stations have been selected as Model Stations, which include all A1, A &B category stations. Such stations would be provided with the level of “Desirable Amenities” specified for the category (as given in Annexure – E).

6.2. The amenities requiring less expenditure should be provided first and completed at all model stations (presently 578) by 31.12.2008 and the balance amenities as per Annexure E to the extent feasible should be provided at model stations by 31.12.2009.

6.3. Wherever amenities listed in Annexure E are available at selected stations, they should be improved in aesthetics and look. This includes furniture in retiring rooms, booking office etc. Public-private partnership should be leveraged for upgradation of stations, toilets, waiting rooms/halls, retiring rooms, etc

7. DISPLAY OF AVAILABLE AMENITIES:

At each station, a list shall be displayed in Station Manager/Master’s room showing the quantum of Minimum Essential Amenities required to be provided for that category of station,as per these guidelines, vis-a-vis the amenities actually available. The details of other amenities available at the station should also be displayed.

8. AUGMENTATION OF THE EXISTING AMENITIES IN A PLANNED MANNER: PREPARATION OF MASTER PLANS

8.1 The Zonal Railways shall immediately carry out a survey of available amenities at stations in relation to those listed in the Annexures.

8.2 Drawing from the results of this survey, a list of the Minimum Essential Amenities, Recommended and Desirable Amenities to be provided, should then be separately drawn up station-wise for each route. The Master Plan for each station should show the amenities required.

8.3 These lists form the basis for drawing up the Divisional Action plans. Action Plans so formulated should then be amalgamated into one General Action Plan and inter-se priorities for different works assigned.

8.4 Minimum Essential Amenities should be provided first as per the scale at all classes of stations. Thereafter, priority should be given for augmenting amenities to recommended level at A1, A, B & C category stations.

8.5 Keeping the normal allocation of funds, under the Plan Heads “Passenger Amenities” in view, a time –frame be allocated to each phase of the General Action Plan. Low cost amenities items for which funds can easily be earmarked, can be taken up earlier than those requiring heavy outlay even if the latter are higher in the priority. Remaining works should be prioritised in a manner such that, gaps in minimum essential amenities, recommended amenities and desirable amenities are filled up, generally in that order.

8.6 Minimum Essential Amenities as prescribed in Annexure ‘B’ & ‘C’ (subject to instructions contained in para 4.2 above), shall be provided as part of the concerned Plan Head at the time of construction of new stations. Elimination of shortfall in Minimum Essential Amenities at existing stations and augmentation of any facility at a station shall, however, be charged under Plan Head “Passenger Amenities”.

9. OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS:

9.1 Definition of Platform: Island platform should be treated as single platform for provision of Minimum Essential Amenities. (Circular No. 2000/LMB/2/212 dated 23.06.2000)

9.2 Following aspects should also be kept in view while upgrading amenities at the stations:

(i) All toilets should be gradually converted to Pay & Use toilets as per guidelines issued under Board’s letter No. 05/TGIV/10/SAN/32/Pay& Use Policy Dt 7.6.06.
(ii) All the signage at the station should be standardised in terms of Railway Board’s circular No. 97/TGII/39/11/signages dt. 11.3.99.
(iii) For location of signage, a plan should be made for each station.
(iv) All stalls should be made modular and reduced in size as per the Board’s circular no. 99/TGIV/10/P/NID dt. 15.3.99
(v) Effort should be made to avoid cooking activites on the platform and instead beverage vending machines and sale of pre cooked and packed food should be encouraged. Effort should also be taken to reduce the number of trolleys to minimum.
(vi) Ban-merries should be provided at A&B class stations.
(vii) The number of trolleys and catering stalls under the platform shelter should be reduced to a minimum.
(viii) There should be effort to reduce the stalls to the bare minimum.
(ix) In the circulating area, proper traffic movement flow plan should be made. Proper landscaping in the circulating area should also be developed. Wherever circulation areas are redesigned, altered, or whenever stations are congested, possibility of providing FOB landings directly into circulating area should be examined as it decongests main platforms. There should be proper segregation of incoming and outgoing passengers, wherever considered necessary (Detailed guidelines have been issued under Board’s letter No. 2005/LMB/02/267 Dt
7.12.05 ) .
(x) Automatic vending machines should be encouraged to replace existing vending stalls.
(xi) The enquiry and Booking Offices should be specially brightened up at all the stations.
(xii) The illumination at the stations should be improved.
(xiii) All unauthorized entry points into the stations irrespective of their class should be closed excepting the specified exit and entry.

10. AMENITIES FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PASSENGERS:

10.1 As per extant instructions, Short term facilities, consisting of following 7 items are to be provided at all stations:

(i) Provision of standard ramp with railing for barrier free entry.
(ii) Earmarking at least two parking lots for vehicles used by disabled persons.
(iii) Provision of a non-slippery walkway from parking lot to building
(iv) Provision of signage of appropriate visibility.
(v) Provision of at least one drinking water tap suitable for use by a disabled person.
(vi) Provision of at least one toilet on the ground floor.
(vii) “May I help You” booth.

(Detailed drawings/guidelines for the above were laid down in RDSO’s report of Nov.1998, circulated under Board’s letter No. 96/LM(B)/2/404 Dt 30.12.1998)

Above facilities have already been provided at all A1 &A category stations, and are now being extended to all B category stations which is targeted by 2007. This has to be ensured, followed by their progressive provision at other category stations.

10.2 As per extant instructions, Long-terms facility, comprising of following 2 items are to be provided:

(i) Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer.
(ii) Engraving on edges of platforms.

Above facilities are planned to be taken up after provision of short-term facilities.

Regarding inter-platform transfer, provision of 1 in 12 ramps/lifts to existing FOBs/Subways may not be feasible as a general solution. This facility has to be mainly provided through pathways at the end of platforms for handicapped passengers, on wheelchairs (to be provided free of cost), duly escorted by coolies(on payment), as per present practice. Accordingly, pathways at platform ends, wherever not existing presently , should be provided in a time bound manner, beginning with A1 and A category stations. Moreover, these should be properly provided with precast CC blocks at track crossings etc and laid to accurate level,to ensure a smooth ride for handicapped persons on wheel chairs, without need for lifting at any stage. The other long-term facility, viz., engravings on platform edges may also be taken up progressively beginning with A1 and A category stations.

11. MAINTENANCE OF PASSENGER AMENITIES:

11.1. It is important to maintain the amenities provided at all the stations in good working order at all times. Maintenance staff shall carry out repairs needed to restore the amenity to functional order, immediately after receipt of information from the Station Master/Station Manager. Hygiene and cleanliness should be an important activity for day to day monitoring.

11.2 General Manager shall arrange to provide adequate imprest with Station masters of stations where Railways maintenance staff are not headquartered, to enable them organise expeditious repairs to small items of passenger amenities such as handpumps/taps, water trolleys, clock, light/fans, urinal/latrines and furniture at the station.

12. PASSENGER AMENITY BOOKLETS:

Additions/Modifications to the passenger amenities available at the stations should be incorporated in the data base & Passenger Amenities Management System  (PAMS) and printed in the form of Passenger Amenity Booklets of each division at the end of the financial year. The details of Passenger Amenities available at stations should be updated and sent every year to Board in floppies/E-mail in the format already circulated as well in hard copies.

Categories of Stations For Provision Of Passenger Amenities

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Courtesy: Indian Railways