Posts of additional Station Masters withdrawn from railway stations during COVID lockdown not restored even after four years

Failure to restore Additional Station Masters posts during COVID-19 lockdown has increased work pressure on single Station Masters.

Failure to restore posts of Additional Station Masters which were withdrawn during the COVID-19 lockdown period in railway stations on Kadambur-Ambathurai sections have put additional burden on single Station Masters on duty.

The posting of Additional SMs were necessiated due to high rail traffic density on this section, said Madurai divisional secretary of All India Station Masters’ Association (AISMA), P. Jegatheesan.

“While one SM would take care of operating the signal panel in the station, the additional SM would look after the works pertaining to line block and power block taken up for engineering works,” he said.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, when train services were suspended and subsequently fewer trains were operated, the additional SMs were withdrawn due to lower rail movement.

But, even four years after the resumption of regular train services, the posts have not been restored. “Station Masters are working under undue work pressure to take care of both running of trains and also the movement of railway machines working on tracks,” he added.

The association also demanded posting of additional SMs in stations such as Manapparai, Gangaikondan and Thalaiyoothu railway stations where traffic has increased.

Besides, the SMs posted in signalling cabins in Madurai railway station were burdened with continous work due to operation of higher number of trains on four directions and taking care of shunting work.