Prioritise railway safety and expansion of network, says CITU

All-India president of CITU K. Hemalata speaking at a State-level convention on Safety in Railways in Hubballi on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

All-India president of CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions) K. Hemalata has urged the Union government to prioritise railway safety and expansion of railway network in its Budget.

Inaugurating a State-level convention on Safety in Railways organised by CITU State committee in Hubballi on Sunday, Ms. Hemalata said that the Railways that ferries over four crore passengers every day should be safe, accident free and should be expanded keeping in mind the requirements of the general public.

“Now, more trains have been introduced that are operating at high speed. However, upgradation of railway tracks, renovation, repairs and hygiene have not been given priority. The Union government should consider it and chalk out programmes on priority,” she said.

Ms. Hemalata said that along with prioritising railway safety and expansion, the government should also put a full stop to the privatisation process. Despite opposition, some rail routes and maintenance of railway lines and construction of buildings are being privatised and this should not have happened, she said.

She pointed out that railway platform ticket rates have been hiked and the concessions given for women and senior citizens have been withdrawn. This apart, a number of general coaches in which common people travel have been decreased and instead, a number of reservation and AC coaches have been increased, she said.

CITU State general secretary Meenakshi Sundaram, senior trade union leader V.J.K. Nair, State secretary K. Mahanthesh, K.C. James of Loco Running Staff Association, A.K. Dubey of Guard Council Association, Kantharaju of Trackmans Association and Chandru Chalavadi of Porters Association spoke and highlighted various problems and demands pertaining to railway safety and lack of appointment and other issues.

During the convention, resolutions were passed demanding that the government guarantee safety of railway passengers, increase the number of general coaches, make recruitment for vacant posts, resume concessions for women and senior citizens, among others.