Railway Ministry Races to Fill Safety Vacancies Amid Increasing Accidents

Following a deadly train accident that claimed 10 lives, the Railway Ministry held an urgent meeting with trade unions to expedite the recruitment process for safety-related positions. With over 1.5 lakh vacancies in crucial categories, the ministry aims to ensure enhanced safety for train operations.

In the aftermath of the tragic June 17 Kanchanjunga Express accident that resulted in 10 fatalities, senior Railway Ministry officials convened an emergency meeting with trade union leaders to address the urgent need for filling safety-related vacancies. The gathering, attended by representatives from the All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) and the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NRIF), focused on expediting the recruitment process.

According to an RTI query response, over 1.5 lakh of the sanctioned 10 lakh safety category posts remain vacant. These positions include critical roles such as drivers, inspectors, loco instructors, and track maintainers. In a positive development, the Railway Board announced the recruitment for 18,799 Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs) on the same day.

AIRF General Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra emphasized the necessity of filling all safety category vacancies, not just ALPs, to ensure comprehensive train safety. Acknowledging the Railway Board's aggressive efforts, Mishra urged sustained promptness until all positions are filled, warning against waiting for more accidents to prompt action. The recent Kanchanjunga Express accident is a stark reminder of the need for rigorous safety measures.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)