WR faces shortage of 98 motormen

May 26, 2014 - Arpika Bhosale | : Age Correspondent 

Motormen are generally taken from the loco-pilot goods section

The Western Railway (WR), which has already been hit by its lack of punctuality on the suburban section, is also facing a crunch of 98 motormen.

The motormen, who are already frustrated because they have to face the commuters’ ire due to delayed trains, are afraid this would again affect services.
“Around one-and-a-half week ago motormen from the ‘93 batch retired. This, coupled with previous vacancies, has taken the number of vacancies up to 98,” said a motorman on condition anonymity.
“This means we need to fill up these vacancies as soon as possible, which are taken from the loco-pilot goods section,” added the motorman.
“The loco-pilots section is itself facing shortage. They are already overworked so we get very few and the demand does not meet the supply,” the motorman said.
When asked, WR divisional railway manager, Shailendra Kumar said, “Yes there is a vacancy, but there is always a standing need of more motormen, so when people go for their annual leaves in the summers we are not stretched too thin.” “We have already recruited 50 to 60 motormen who are undergoing their six-month training. We will recruit even more in the coming months according to the due procedure,” added Mr Kumar.
Motormen unions of WR are now waiting to see if the administration recruits people in the suburban section. Western Railway Mazdoor Sangh divisional secretary Jasbir Singh said, “We need new motormen all over in goods, passenger and Mumbai local. Unless we get a lot of people the situation will worsen.”