Monorail staff buckle under 'cost-cutting' measures

Working behind the scenes of the monorail, its staff are a harried lot. The situation is far from rosy since a major cost-cutting exercise is underway, with even drinking water not being provided to the staff, said sources.

On Sunday, employees complained there wasn't a single drop to drink and they were asked to arrange for water on their own. Moreover, they said that the exercise had also severely affected canteen facilities including non-availability of paper cups.

In the past there have been incidents wherein the station masters, who are made to work for 12 hours daily, had to go to another station to answer nature's call.

When the employees inquired about the shortage, they were told that 'major cost cutting' was underway.

"Earlier there used to be burgers and different varieties of food from multi-chain fast food joints available at Wadala Depot canteen free of cost, but now each of the food item is being charged," said a source.

The work force is upset that although the monorail is being projected as a world class facility, the working conditions do not match international levels.

Even the air-conditioning systems do not function, making the office spaces inside the Wadala Depot or maintenance yard claustrophobic to work in, said another source.