Footfall, not revenue, to decide station status

Currently, stations are classified into seven categories (A1, A, B, C, D, E and F). ‘A1’ tops the revenue chart, while ‘F’ category would be awarded to wayside stations with the least revenue. 

“The Railway board is currently working out parameters to categorise stations, which will be done based on remuneration. Footfall would be a key consideration for classifying a station or deciding the kind of amenities it requires,” the official explained, before disclosing that the categories would go beyond 10 after the new parameters were applied.

Alphabetical classifications like A1, A and F would cease to exist once the board releases the new set of parameters to all zones. Stations would be classified as suburban and non-suburban (express train stations) only and the ranking would be done under the two heads. However, the recategorisation would not affect the amenities already sanctioned or being provided at a station.

“Minimum essential amenities have already been provided in most stations in SR zone. It is unlikely that the already provided facilities would be withdrawn post-recategorisation,” the officer said. The Railway ministry went for a rethink of stations classification after it came to the notice that some stations were denied required amenities for paucity of revenue. For instance, a suburban station with PRS (passenger reservation system) counter would net more revenue but record less footfalls (low passenger traffic) and such stations were provided amenities owing to classification. Such mismatches would be eliminated, and infrastructure of stations would be in tune with the passenger footfalls, irrespective of the revenue they generate.