Motormen from the Central Railway’s Mumbai division are preparing for a significant protest the railway administration’s new compulsory retirement policy for signal violations. This policy, which mandates immediate retirement for any breach, has sparked considerable unrest among the motormen, who view it as excessively harsh and detrimental to their livelihoods.
The discontent among motormen escalated following recent compulsory retirements for signal rule infractions. The policy has been criticised for failing to consider the challenges posed by the railway’s complex operational environment. The Mumbai division, known for its high density and intricate network, manages approximately 1,810 local trains each day, with over 60,000 stops. Motormen are required to navigate these demanding conditions while ensuring passenger safety, a task compounded by the occasional irregular placement of signals.
One motorman voiced frustration, stating, “The policy’s rigidity does not accommodate the realities of our work environment. Minor errors, such as stopping a train slightly off the designated signal point, can lead to severe penalties, including compulsory retirement. These errors, while often inconsequential, have profound impacts on us and our families.” Another motorman echoed these sentiments, announcing that their forthcoming protest would be a large-scale demonstration in response to the recent retirements of their colleagues. The Motormen’s Association is advocating for a revision of this policy. They suggest replacing immediate retirement with alternative disciplinary actions, such as demotion or salary reductions, which they believe would be fairer and more manageable.
In a related development, a previous protest against a controversial duty chart led to its withdrawal by the administration. The proposed chart aimed to reduce overall working hours but increased ‘wheel-to-wheel’ duty time—time spent actively driving trains. Motormen opposed this change due to the increased continuous driving periods, leading to significant resistance. The ongoing unrest highlights the broader issues faced by railway personnel in balancing operational demands with fair treatment under stringent policies.
