Railway Guards Protest Over Replacement of Iron Boxes with Trolley Bags

The North Central Railway Zone has directed its divisions to replace iron boxes of train managers and loco pilots with trolley bags by October 31, 2024. While the Railway Board insists it's a cost-effective move, the Guards’ Union opposes it over safety concerns, leading to protests and legal challenges.

The North Central Railway Zone has mandated its divisions at Prayagraj, Jhansi, and Agra to replace the iron boxes of train managers and loco pilots with trolley bags by October 31, 2024. The move follows a directive from the Railway Board aimed at phasing out the cumbersome iron boxes currently in use.

The plan, which includes a Rs 5,000 stipend for each train manager every three years to purchase the bags, comes amidst significant opposition. The Guards' Union has raised concerns over the potential safety risks and is staging protests across railway networks.

Legal battles ensued, delaying the implementation until the Central Administrative Tribunal refused to provide relief. Railway officials argue the change will yield monetary savings and operational efficiency by eliminating porters, but the Guards' Union remains unconvinced about the proposal's merits.

(With inputs from agencies.)