RAJENDRA B. AKLEKAR rajendra. aklekar@ mid- day. com DRIVING a train is not an easy job. Crossing a signal almost every kilometre, tackling random trespassers on tracks, halting the train at exact halt points at every station between Churchgate and Virar for several hours a day demands a tremendous level of precision and patience. Clearly Mumbaiu2019s motormen and guards go through a lot u2014 and Western Railway ( WR) wants them to let their hair down through its u2018 meditation roomsu2019. The WR on Friday inaugurated the de- stressing hubs at Churchgate and Borivli. Motormen and guards will find tranquillity there, be able to vent their anger, play games and watch TV. u201c The rooms decrease stress as one goes further inside,u201d explained the brains behind the project, Divisional Railway Manager ( DRM), G V L Satyakumar.
First comes the TV room, then a playroom equipped with board games such as chess and carrom, u201c Then comes the room where one can talk about their feelings, complain, or just talk to clear up their mind. People can give the harshest complaints anonymously,u201d Satyakumar added.
u201c The last section is a soundproof meditation room. It is where one can attain peace,u201d Satyakumar explained.
One of the key reasons behind giving motormen a place to unwind is to keep tabs on cases of u2018 signal passing at dangeru2019 ( SPAD), which many motormen experience.
u201c Such a peaceful place to unwind was required because of the stressful, frequent trips we undertake,u201d said guard Santosh Kakade.
u201c We have around an hour of waiting period during workdays.
This room is good to stay in,u201d said another motorman.
Guard Ashish Dalvi called it a u2018 happy spaceu2019. Inside the last room, midday found numerous messages congratulating the WR and complaints written on a whiteboard.
Satyakumar, who had these hubs built in two months at a cost of R u00a1 . . lakh, said he too would make himself available to counsel staff. A similar hub will come up at Virar railway station within . . days.
Ravinder Bhakar, WRu2019s chief public relations officer, said, u201c The meditation and recreational activities will also help staff improve their focus.u201d WR wants stressed staff to just chill Meditation and recreational hubs at Churchgate and Virar for motormen, guards to help them u2018 vent feelings, attain peaceu2019 Railway motormen and guards meditate at WRu2019s de- stressing hub Motormen and guards play carrom at WRu2019s de- stressing hub White boards at the de- stressing hub let staff write anonymous messages and thoughts. PICS/ ASHISH RAJE R u001f u001e u001d u001c Cost of the meditation hubs
