Officers on official tours should use trains more: Railways Chairman

The Railways has instructed its general managers to ensure that their officers travel frequently by trains during official tours and submit reports on condition of coaches.

In a letter addressed to all general managers of zonal railways, Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav said that such officers should also interact with passengers.

"Travelling by train is an opportunity to gain first-hand insight on the actual conditions in respect to our services. This alone can provide us 'moments of truth' with our passengers and customers and equip us with invaluable knowledge to continuously innovate and improve our services," Mr Yadav said in the letter dated June 13.

"All General Managers, DRMs and unit heads shall personally ensure that the officers working under them, frequently travel by train services in course of their official tours, inspect conditions coaches... A part of the inspection note of the officers must invariably contain a report on the condition of such facilities and quality of services on trains including bio-toilets and catering," he said.

The Railway Board chairman also said the general managers should send him a feedback that these instructions have been passed on to all officers. He has also instructed the department heads to take corrective action, wherever required, based on the inspection reports filed by these officials.

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Earlier, sources informed that a team of private public relations professionals will soon drive the railways' publicity campaign both at the Union ministry in the national capital as well as in each of its zones. 

Sources said currently, around 70 officers - including one chief public relations officer (PRO) in each of its 18 zones -- were engaged in disseminating information to the media about the railways and running its social media handles, along with several senior PROs and public relation inspectors.

Now, a team of 17 private PR professionals will be hired for each zone to assist them.

"We already have private agencies working with us in the zones, who help us with our publicity work. This is not new. What we have done now is that we have tried to standardise the process," a senior Railway Board official said.