The initiative involves 45 major trains that include Rajdhani, Shatabdi and other long distance trains originating from stations falling under the Delhi division.

'This initiative is by the Delhi division of Northern Railway. However, it may be extended to other divisions as well,' said Swarup.

Added divisional railway manager B.D. Garg: 'The idea is to make the whole reform process more focussed, and increase personal involvement of the staff.'

According to officials, the initiative is being taken up after Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee gave a free hand to zonal officials to improve passenger amenities.

'The minister has given clear instructions that the zonal managers are free to take any measures to ensure that the passengers are getting all amenities at stations and on trains,' said a railway ministry official.

Recently, Banerjee told general managers that 'there is need of a continuous monitoring mechanism to improve the punctuality performance in all zonal railways'.

(Anuradha Shukla can be contacted at anuradha.s@ians.in)