Mend dilapidated tracks, forget bullet trains: WR Mazdoor Sangh gen secy

Ujjain : Western Railway Mazdoor Sangh general secretary and National Federation of Indian Railway men vice-president JG Mahurkar has stated that the biggest transport mode in the nation had failed to emerge as a profitable industry.

Interacting with the media persons here on Saturday, Mahurkar said that although the finance minister now presents the railway budget as against the old tradition of railway minister presenting it, no remarkable change has been seen so far. “Previously the railways were controlled by the railways Board and now it is controlled by the PMO. Most of the proposals are now pending before the finance ministry,” he added.

The veteran trade union leader said that the increase in rail accidents had occurred in the wake of bad condition of tracks, non-fulfillment of one lakh vacant posts of railway employees, human failure and system failure. “We are over-exploiting the capacity of railway tracks and placing priority on running bullet trains. Those higher-ups who are directly involved in lapses in the system are spar and employment potential is continuously shrinking,” Mahurkar elaborated.

Prior to it, Mahurkar also addressed a general meeting of the Mazdoor Sangh outside the railway station, which was attended by hundreds of employees of the Ratlam division. Sangh president Sharif Khan, secretary BK Garg and divisional chief Jaswinder Singh were also present. They felicitated Union leaders and retired employees including NP Sharma, AR Khan, Sanjay Singh and RS Neela. BL Suryavanshi conducted the proceedings and SK Yadav extended thanks.