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Don't imperil train safety: Union

Rly unions oppose administration’s move to extend maintenance schedule of locals

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The railway administration and unions are at loggerheads over the change in the maintenance schedule of local trains.

The Indian Railways' Research and Design wing has widened the overhaul schedule of Central and Western Railway rakes from this month, and the unions are claiming increasing the duration between two service sessions could compromise the safety of train operations.

The Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), based in Lucknow, had last month issued the revised maintenance schedule of EMUs in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.

The RDSO's letter dated September 6 says the maintenance schedule of each coach has now been revised to 15 days, 60 days and 24 months, from 10 days, 45 days and 18 months.

Later, on September 16, the suburban railways here came out with a circular about adopting the revised schedule. DNA has copies of the two letters.

The unions have contended that by advancing the upkeep, the administration is risking safety of operations and therefore commuters. But the administration is defending the move on the grounds that technological advancement has obviated frequent maintenance.

"We don't have a problem if they extend 10 days to 15 days. But the extension to 60 days is bothersome. The administration cannot compromise with safety of passengers," said R Bhatnagar, president of union body Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh.

During the 45-day schedule, the checks are more intense than the visual checks in the 10-day schedule. There are 45-50 workers for each take that goes on for eight hours, checking 37 broad aspects. These include inspection of axle, suspension bearing, shock absorbers, springs, buffers, pneumatic brakes, seats, luggage carriers, cattle guard, and so on.

"The new rakes have steel pipings and materials in many parts. But other material still needs attention after 45 days. It cannot go on for 60 days without inspection," said another union member.

Slam The Brakes

  •  Lucknow-based RDSO has issued a new maintenenace schedule for trains: from 10 days, 45 days and 18 months to 15 days, 60 days and 24 months, respectively
  •  Unions claim admin is risking the safety of operations by advancing the overhaul schedule, but authorities say that with new tech, there’s no need for frequent checks  

Railway officials dismissed these concerns, saying improved quality has taken care of such issues. "Earlier we had to replace copper wires in OHE almost every day. Now they have been replaced by carbon-based material that worls for up to two years. Similarly during routine checks, brake blocks and such are replaced. There is no need to worry," said a rail official. "Besides, we will save a lot of money with extended inspections," he added. 

For the periodic overhaul that has been extended to 24 months from 18 months, thorough checks last up to a month.

The union claims that running trains in Mumbai is a different ball game than it is in Delhi, Kolkata or Chennai, as the number of daily services is very high.

The railway administration has already prepared a schedule for close to 1,200 coaches that will undergo periodic overhaul after mid-2020.

"These have been studied in detail by a committee. There has been a quantum jump in rail technology and the revised schedule is feasible," said a senior railway official.

The Central and Western Railways will follow the schedule from now. The matter of concern raised by the rail employees is that any change in schedule would not allow them to replace damaged parts on time.

Venu Nair, general secretary, NRMU, had a different take. "This change in schedule is mainly because there are vacancies in the railways. These vacant posts aren't being filled up and now as a cover-up, they are increasing the maintenance schedule. They will be able to conceal the overdue to coaches, as the administration will get more time to work on a train's maintenance," he said.

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