Mumbai: Central Railway staff protest on tracks due to overcrowding in special train

On Tuesday evening, at least 400 Central Railway (CR) employees staged protest on the railway tracks near Vidyavihar station after some of the employees had to deboard a special train catering to rail staffers due to overcrowding.

Around 5.30 pm, as a Karjat-bound train reached near Vidyavihar station, several irate employees deboarded and came out on the tracks to protest.

A rail staffer, who had boarded the train from Matunga, said, “I was hanging near the door, as the train was completely packed. By the time it reached near Vidyavihar, there was no space for anyone else to enter. We are ready to work but at least the number of train services should be increased.”

At present the Central Railway operates three train services— at 4.30 pm, 4.45 pm and 5 pm — for employees from Karjat and Kasara. The overcrowding was reported in the 4.30 pm train service on Monday.

“For the other two services, instead of normal EMU locals, engines of sleeper coaches are used. They usually take 30 minutes more than a EMU local to cover the same distance because of their slow pick-up. Hence, all employees want to board the 4.30 train,” said an employee.

CR has issued statement in which they said the reason for stopping the service was under investigation. It added that considering the additional frontline and back-end staffers who are required to run the passenger train services that are being gradually restarted, Mumbai division will run more trains for essential railway staffers between 4.30 pm to 5 pm.

Venu Nair of National Railway Mazdoor Union said, “We have communicated on the need to run an additional train for the employees and the administration has promptly agreed.”