You have joined the Railways at a very crucial time where unfortunately there have been a few accidents/derailments at the frequent intervals. As a responsible trade union, representing more than one million railwaymen, we have many a times raised this issue before the Hon’ble MR as well as Railway Board that safety is always supreme to us, and in almost all the cases of accidents there had been casualties of the railwaymen altogether…..

No.AIRF/415 Dated: September 21, 2017
Hon’ble Minister for Railways,
Ministry of Railways,
Rail Bhawan,
New Delhi
Respected Sir,
Sub: Safety is supreme
You have joined the Railways at a very crucial time where unfortunately there have been a few accidents/derailments at the frequent intervals. As a responsible trade union, representing more than one million railwaymen, we have many a times raised this issue before the Hon’ble MR as well as Railway Board that safety is always supreme to us, and in almost all the cases of accidents there had been casualties of the railwaymen altogether.

It is worth-mentioning here that, Dr. Anil Kakodkar Committee had commended that the railwaymen, almost 400-500 in number, use to lay their precious lives while operating and maintaining the railway system. Of late it is observed that, there is acute shortage of materials in the Railways, particularly railway track as also the manpower. At present, there are 2,30,000 vacancies, on Indian Railways, out of which more than 1,50,000 are in Safety Categories. Apart from this, every year almost 350 kms. railway track is added to the railway system as also electrification. No staff has been sanctioned for its maintenance.

In these circumstances, thinking about safe running of trains seems to be very difficult.
It is our earnest request that, to run the railway system safely, at least safety posts must be filled-up without further delay and the requisite materials required should also be provided.