Mumbai: Metro operator seek help from Mumbai Police after security staff goes on strike

Carrying more than 3 lakh commuters daily, the Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) operating Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro-1 corridor has sought help from the Mumbai Police as security staff of the Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) went on strike Tuesday. 

The security staff from MSF have gone on strike demanding they be made permanent government employees from the current contract employees. 

The MSF is not staff recruited by MMOPL but by the state government and is also deployed by the state government for the security of Mumbai Metro.

The MMOPL, however, said that due to the security staff of MSF going on strike it has sought assistance from the Mumbai Police including the state government and has also deployed its private security guards to secure the entry and exit points of the 12 Metro stations and depot at Andheri. 

MMOPL has maintained that no services of the Metro-1 were affected due to the MSF security staff going on strike. 

A MMOPL spokesperson said, "Today some MSF staff has not reported for duty without any notice. Keeping in mind the convenience and security of commuters, Mumbai Metro One promptly deployed the alternative arrangements. We have also apprised the issue to state govt., MMRDA and Mumbai Police for assistance."

The 11.40-km Metro is jointly owned by Reliance Infrastructure-led MMOPL and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

MMOPL, MMRDA, and Veolia Transport SA of France jointly own 69%, 26% and 5% stakes respectively.