Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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CENTRAL RAILWAYS
COMs office
MUMBAI CST
No 1 286 Running Room
DA as above (A.A.PHADKE)
For COM
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Report
Of
The EDs Committee
Of
Railway Board
On
Improvements in
Running Rooms and
Crew Lobbies
-November 2003-
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A) Running Rooms
B) Crew Lobbies
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CONTENTS
Running Rooms
I Background 1
II Methodology 4
III Classification 6
IV Scale of Facilities 7
V System of Food Preparation 23
VI System of upkeep and Maintenance 25
VII Level of Functional Control 27
Crew Lobbies
VIII Classification 28
IX Scale of Facilities 29
X Upkeep and Maintenance 31
XI Functional Control 32
Miscellaneous
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IMPROVEMENTS IN
Sd/-
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(Shakeel Ahmed)
EDME(Tr)/
Railway Board
Convener
13.10.2003
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
3. Existing running rooms with more than two beds per room should be
provided with shoulder high cubicles (starting 6 below mattress
level) in such a way that each cubicle has two beds, one pedestal fan
for each bed and socket for installing mosquito repellant. Adequate
number of exhaust fans should also be provided to improve circulation
of air.
4. Old dilapidated running rooms (more than 70 years old) with tiled
roof, uneven flooring, open sewerage/dry latrine should be phased out
and replaced by modern running rooms as per 1 above. Similarly,
running rooms whose locations is inconvenient and does not suit the
current traffic pattern, should be phased out.
8. Some of the running ro0oms are located close to busy main roads with
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9. All new running rooms should be constructed with two beds per room.
The layout should be functional and the building should be modern
with maintenance free construction of toilet and kitchen. An architect
should be engaged for doing a professional job. Each railway should
construct one new model running room in the next one year.
12.Wherever power interruption is more than one hour per day, stand by
power should be provided. This energy should be bought on contract
basis to improve reliability and reduce costs.
16. Water purifier and electric water cooler with annual maintenance
contract should be provided in all the running rooms.
17. The condition of electrical wiring, switch gear and electrical fittings
in old running rooms must be got periodically surveyed by the
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18. Instructions exist that the running rooms facility should not be
extended to the commercial staff. These instructions should be rigidly
enforced and even where spare running room capacity is available it
should not be extended to the commercial staff due to difference in the
rest requirement of the two categories.
20.The beds in the running rooms should be numbered. The name of the
occupant of each bed should be displayed on a small board outside
each room so that correct driver is woken up without disturbing
others.
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27.All toilets and urinals should be of flush type with proper drainage
and septic tank.
31.Doctors should visit the running room quarterly and seek opinion of
the occupants about the food and other environmental conditions.
34.First aid box and fire fighting equipment should be provided on each
floor. All running room staff should be trained in giving first-aid and
use of fire-fighting equipment. Adequate fire-fighting equipment
should be available.
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The menu should be different for each day of the week and
should be displayed on the notice board.
40. The officer in charge of the running room and its supervisor should
be liberally empowered. A cash imprest of Rs. 25,000/- should be
provided with the officer in charge of the running room for petty
engineering repairs and replacements of electrical fittings.
42. As per Railway Boards circular No. 90/RS (G)/1131/1 dt. 8.6.1990,
bed sheets, pillow covers and blankets are required to be purchased of
handloom material.These instructions need to be withdrawn and
railways authorized to do quality procurement of these items. The
quality standard should match with what is available in I AC.
43. Two linens, one pillow cover packed in polythene and blanket (during
winter). Should be issued to each user. Linens/blankets should be
marked with date of supply, serial number and running room.
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45. There is an urgent need for upgrading the level of functional control as under.
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A Above 51
B 21 to 50
C Upto 20
2. The scale of facilities in crew lobbies are given under Chapter-IX of the
report.
3. All new crew lobbies should be constructed with rest room attached to
it. The layout should be functional and building should be modern with
maintenance free toilet.
8. Flush type toilet and urinals with proper drainage and septic tank should
be provided with each lobby.
13. A separate cash imprest of Rs. 5000/- should be maintained with the
officer in charge of crew lobby for petty repairs (engineering/electrical)
and replacement of fittings.
15. The Committee further recommends that for A category lobbies where
running staff signing on/off per day is 81 & above, supervisor of the Grade
of Sr. Loco Foreman i.e. Rs. 7450-11500 should be deployed for effective
control.
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Part A
Running Room
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CHAPTER I
BACKGROUND
1.2 About 400 accidents take place on Indian Railways every year, out
of which 65.35% are on account of human error. 10.4% of all the
accidents that take place on account of human error on the part of
the running staff.
1.4 Running staff is the only category, which does not have a concept
of fixed time rest either in night or in daytime. Except the periodic
night in bed rest, his rest time commences the moment he signs
Off and completes after the stipulated rest hour under HOER,
irrespective of the time of the day or night. The inherent nature of
his duties and rest is quite challenging to the biological clock of the
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body and the running staff has to go through this throughout his
active duty. Such a demanding work condition of the most crucial
safety category puts extra responsibility on the railways to ensure
that when the running staff signs On for duty, he is fully rested
alert and free from mental stress. The Railways have generally
appreciated this and treated the running staff as a special category
as for as their rest requirement is concerned.
1.6 Unlike running rooms, not much attention has been paid in the past
to the condition of crew lobbies. As, the crew sign on in lobbies
and some times get detained there due to uncertainties of train
operations, it is equally important that conditions in the lobbies are
paid adequate attention.
1.7 These subjects got fresh impetus recently in the wake of Safety
Sanvad,started at the initiative of Honble Minister for Railways,
leading to the setting up of this committee.
During the days of steam traction, most of the running rooms were
located adjacent to or near the loco shed. Steam locos mostly had
short runs and the driver used to pickup and drops locos in the shed
and take rest in the near by running room. With the changeover to
diesel and electric traction, change in traffic pattern and increased
emphasis on the implementation of 10 hour duty roster there is
significant shift in the location of running rooms to stations
(passenger trains) and yards (freight trains). As a matter of fact, a
large number of running rooms located near stream sheds have
become redundant and some of them continue to be used despite
locational handicap as new running rooms at vantage locations have
not kept pace with the change in traffic pattern.
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With the phasing out of steam traction signing on/off of crew shifted
from loco shed to the stations(passenger trains) and yards (Freight
trains) resulting in setting up of lobbies.
There are in all 401 running rooms on Indian Railway with 2795 rooms
and 13992 beds. There are 319 crew lobbies. Railway-wise details of
running rooms and crew lobbies are as under.
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CHAPTER II
METHODOLOGY
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The RSRC while deliberating on the issue has, vide para 3.10.4 of it
report, noted that for years, there had been concerns regarding
management of running rooms. There were recurring complaints
regarding food, cleanliness, linen, noise etc. After looking at some
well-run establishments, viz,. Guna and Itarsi which are contracted
out, the RSRC made the above recommendation which was accepted
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The Committee has also drawn upon heavily from the experience of its
Members in the field, while working in various capacities.
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CHAPTER III
CLASSIFICATION
3.1 The numbers of beds in a Running rooms gives a fairly accurate idea
of its size and the numbers of users. The classification of running
rooms should accordingly be based on the number of beds. The
committee recommends following classifications:
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CHAPTER IV
SCALE OF FACLITIES
4.1 The committee has considered the scale of facilities and other details for
the following items:
o Bed room
o Lounge
o Dining room
o Box room
o Bathroom, lavatory & urinal
o Store room
o Pantry
o Kitchen
o Utensils and other items
o Verandah
o Soiled linen
o Garden
o Sanitation
o Fire protection
o Meditation room
o Library
o Running room staff
o Boundary wall/ fencing
o Miscellaneous
Considering the fact that there are as many as 401 running rooms and
none of them have 2 beds per room, it will not be possible to
implement the concept-t of 2 beds per room as the capital investment
would be enormous. As a via media, all existing running rooms
should be partitioned with cubicles in such a way that there are only 2
beds per cubicle and a maximum of 3 cubicles per room. The cubicles
should be perforated, they should be shoulder high, start 6 below the
mattress level and should be made of wood.
Some of the running rooms are totally dilapidated with tiled roof
uneven flooring, open sewerage and dry type of latrine. It may not be
possible to make them functional and significantly improve their
condition, even after incurring huge costs in repairing /refurbishing
them.
Railways should prepare an action plan for making good the shortfall in
3 years, in the following manner:
The committee has made a sample study of costs incurred by the Railways on
Running rooms based on the details obtained from 5 running rooms of central
and Northern Railway. The details are as under:
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While finalizing the contract for hotel accommodation, these costs should be
kept in view.
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4.2.7 Security:
Presently, there is no system of providing security in the running
rooms. At some places the law and order situation is quite bad and
unauthorized people enter running rooms, misuse its facilities and be
a source of nuisance to the users and staff. Each division should
identify such running rooms and provide adequate security. In view
of high cost of providing departmental security, the committee
recommends privatization of running room security.
4.2.11 Library:
A small library under the supervision of caretaker should be maintained
which should have sufficient copies of G & SR, operating manual,
accident manual and trouble shooting guide. The books may be issued to
the running staff on request, for consultation.
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4.2.16Numbering of beds:
The beds in the running rooms should be numbered. The name of the
occupant of each bed should be displayed on a small board outside each
room so that correct driver is woken up without disturbing others.
4.2.17Communication:
Every running room should have adequate communication arrangement
by way of provision of railway and DOT phones (without STD facility).
4.2.18Booking of expenditure:
The expenditure on the upkeep and maintenance of running rooms is
currently being charged to civil/Electrical/S&T heads of allocation. The
committee recommends that a separate head should exist for booking all
running rooms expenses under one head.
for filtering out the noise in such cases. Location of new running room
should also take this aspect into account and provide adequate offset from
the roads.
4.3 SCALE / OTHER DETAILS OF VARIOUS FACILITIES:
officer
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in charge.
Exhaust fan Minimum number 1 per room.
Actual number to be decided locally.
Mosquito repellent
One for two beds.
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4.3.2 LOUNGE
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Ware and cutlery Mug (Porcelain), steel ware full plates, steel
(1set) Ware quarters plates, Trays for serving tea,
Katories-
Steel two per person plus one small one for
Ghee in the south only, Thalis with pressed
katories recesses
May be used instead, Steel tumblers, Jugs of
Stainless Steel, Table spoons-stainless steel,
Tea spoons,Desert spoons, desert forks (one
per full plate set) tea strainers (adequate
number), ash tray ( according to
requirements), Salt cellar to every table,
Pepper Cellar.
One set to be provided for every 4 beds. +
30% as contingencies.
4.3.5 BATHROOM,
LAVATORY & URINALS
Bath room Size - 6X4
Scale - 1 for 8 beds( in existing running
rooms).
- 1 for 4 beds(attached) for new
running rooms.
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Lavatory Size - 5x 39
Scale - 1 for 8 beds (in existing running
rooms)-Minimum 2 .
-1 for 2 beds (attached) for new
running rooms
Type - flush type.
90% commodes should be of the Indian
(squatting)
Type and 10% of the Western Type
(minimum 1);
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4.3.7 PANTRY
Dimensions (minimum) Size - 209x 12 for 10 beds.
- 18 6x12(2 nos) for 50 beds.
Separate pantry for non-vegetarian at the
desecration of officer incharge.
Every room is recommended for provision
of one sink and two clear shelves for
placing cooked foods and utensils in an
orderly manner.
proper shelves to be decided locally.
Built in wire gauge cupboard.
4.3.8 KITCHEN
Size -13x10for 10 beds
-13x12 for 50 beds.
Separate for non-vegetarian and vegetarian
catering.
Gas stove Cat C 1 (Domestic type).
Cat A and B industrial type with
manifold.
Rack (with railing) To be provided on the side wall near the
cooking range for spices.
Kitchen table Size -33x33x60.
Stainless steel top and one set of drawers
below.
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Bread knife 1 4
Bread board 1 2
Toasting rack 1 2
Vegetable knife 2 -
Pie dishing (various size) 3 3
Basins, brass 4 2 3
Receptacle for rubbish (with 1
automatic closing Lid)
Lotas 2 2
Buckets 3 4
Tumbler brass 2 3
Tin cutter 1 2
4.3.10VERANDAH
Width 10 wide.
should serve the lounge, bed and
dinning rooms
One ceiling fan per 10 beds.
One wash basin
Cane lawn chair
Dust bin
4.3.11 SOILED LINEN Rooms for soiled linen
Annual power laundry contract for
washing.
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4.3.15 MISCELLANEOUS:
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CHAPTER V
SYSTEM OF FOOD PREPARATION
5.2 The opinions on the existing system of food preparation are sharply
divided amongst drivers, cooks, running rooms incharges and
management. These are summarized as under:
o One menu each should be with dietary restriction while the other one
should be normal.
o The menus should be different for each day of the week and should
be displayed on the notice board.
o The system of departmental cooking should be retained.
The committee has critically examined this issue and recommends that in
areas where sentiment is strong in favour of a separate kitchen & dining
room for vegetarians and non-vegetarians, the same should be provided.
5.6 Menu:
Running room supervisor in consultation with the running staff should
prepare weekly, day wise menu for veg/non-veg. meals. Under both the
categories, there should be two menus, one conventional and one with
dietary restrictions. The Caretaker should display the same on the notice
Board for the information of occupants of running rooms.
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Railway CR NR
Location Bombay Pune Ajni DLI Meerut
No. of beds 560 192 30 255 42
No, of users per 672 230 35 280 47
day(a)
1.Staff salary 590066 23813 40000 82000
per month 2 94099 0
2. LPG cylinder 6000 3500
2500 2025 18000
3.Kitchen 8000 4167 694
utensils & other 5000 1240
gadgets
Sub total (b) 604066 24563 42216 86194
2 97364 7
Subsidy on 30 36 93 50 61
meals /user/day
(b/a)
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CHAPTER VI
SYSTEM OF UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE
6.1 An important reason for the poor condition of running rooms and lack
of basic amenities is the existing procedure of material procurement
and repairs. Lot of time is wasted on the part of running room
caretaker to contact various agencies who are either unable or
unwilling to make good the deficiency and carry out repairs
expeditiously.Against the recommendation of change of linen with
every user, the committee is appalled to note that Howrah Running
Room No. 2 is not changing linen even in a weeks time. Dirty torn
out linen were in use in this running room. Even where things were
better, it was noticed that the linen provided did not cater to the
requirement of change with every user (e.g. Guwahati Running
room) . Condition of blankets in Guwahati Running room was
extremely poor. For proper accountability, the Committee feels that
the officer and supervisor responsible for the upkeep and maintenance
of running room should be sufficiently empowered. The committee
recommends as under.
items for running rooms, which are outside the scope of purchases
from the usual imprest. These items may include the following:
Furniture
Utensils/crockery/gas ovens / geysers/ coolers/pedestal fans etc.
Linen/blankets/pillow/mattress/drapery.
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CHAPTER VII
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CHAPTER VIII
CLASSIFICATION
A Above 51
B 21 to 50
C Upto 20
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Part - B
C R E W L O B B
Y
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CHAPTER - IX
SCALE OF FACILITIES
Item Scale
9.1.1 Room
Size of crew lobby A, B, C
category. 12x14
Rest room attached with crew
lobby only for A & B category. 10x12
9.1.4 Room cooler One each for lobby & rest room
attached with lobby.
9.2 All new crew lobbies should be constructed with rest room
attached to it. The layout should be functional and building
should be modern with maintenance free toilets.
9.7 Flush type toilets and urinals with proper drainage and
septic tank should be provided with each lobby.
9.8 Glazed tiles should be fitted on the walls and anti-skid type
on floor of lavatory attached to rest room.
Chapter X
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CHAPTER XI
Functional control
A Rs.6000 - 9800
B Rs.5500 - 8000
C Rs.5000 - 8000
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CHAPTER - XII
TOTAL 32 32 34 98 104
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