CHENNAI: Representatives of the All India Station Masters’ Association (AISMA) have raised concerns over the existing vacancies of station masters, which are a potential threat for railway safety. Pressing the administration to fill up the vacancies, members of the association staged a demonstration in Chennai on Tuesday, seeking the immediate intervention of the authorities in this regard. According to Palanivelu, Ex-Zonal Secretary of AISMA, 601 vacancies for Station Master posts are vacant in Southern Railway, of which the Chennai Division alone accounts for 212. “It is a dangerous scenario, as the station masters are forced to work overtime. This may result in human error leading to train accidents and is a potential threat for railway safety as well,” he added. Station Masters, he said, are also engaged in assisting passengers at platforms. However, this vital help extended by the Station Masters is hampered by the mounting assignments carried out by us, he stated while adding that several station masters are de-categorised, after being tested medically unfit for the work creating a crisis. Another office bearer of the association claimed that a few station masters are pushed to the extent of working continuously for 24 hours without any break. “If one station master has to attend a social function, his colleague must work for additional hours, owing to a shortage of staff,” he added.
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