'Rail Jan Samvaad': Mumbaikars, here's an opportunity to share your grievances and suggestions with Central Railway on Thursday

Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances and the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, Government of India, will participate in the programme at CSMT. FILE PIC

Central Railway will organise 'Rail Jan Samvaad' on October 22 (Thursday) as part of a nationwide Indian Railways initiative to strengthen passenger engagement, gather feedback and improve railway services through direct interaction with travellers.

The programme is being conducted under the Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM-6), which is being observed across all zonal railways and railway units from October 2 to 31. The campaign focuses on cleanliness, space management, disposal of scrap and electronic waste, citizen engagement and other activities aimed at improving railway operations.

As part of the initiative, Rail Jan Samvaad will be held at more than 7,000 railway stations across the country, followed by cleanliness activities on the same day, according to a Central Railway press release issued on Wednesday.

The programme aims to make direct engagement with passengers an integral part of railway management by encouraging travellers to share their concerns and suggestions at platforms and other passenger interaction points. Special emphasis will be placed on involving young people in discussions on improving railway facilities and services.

Under the theme ‘Jan ki Awaaz, Yuva ki Soch, Rail ka Samadhaan', the initiative seeks to encourage continuous dialogue between railway officials and citizens and develop practical solutions to passenger-related concerns.

Senior officials to lead programme in Mumbai

Central Railway General Manager Rajeev Shrivastava will lead the initiative at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai.

Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances and the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare, Government of India, will participate in the programme at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai.

Divisional Railway Managers, along with branch officers and staff, will lead the initiative in their respective divisions.

More than 300 officers have been nominated to participate in the programme at various stations across Central Railway.

Passenger feedback to be categorised for action

Passenger concerns, suggestions and feedback collected during Rail Jan Samvaad will be systematically reviewed under three categories: short-term, mid-term and long-term.

Short-term issues will cover matters that can be resolved immediately or within a brief period. Mid-term issues will require coordination, planning and implementation by the departments concerned. Long-term issues will involve policy changes, strategic planning or approvals from higher authorities.

The categorisation is intended to help railway officials assess passenger concerns and determine the appropriate course of action based on the nature and complexity of each issue.

Through Rail Jan Samvaad, Central Railway aims to establish a structured mechanism for addressing passenger grievances and encouraging greater public participation in improving railway services.

The initiative also seeks to ensure that feedback from travellers, particularly young citizens, contributes to improvements in railway facilities and the overall travel experience. Central Railway said the programme reinforces Indian Railways' commitment to responsive, transparent and citizen-centric services.