New Delhi: For the past year, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has been making concerted efforts to connect with various segments of society. This initiative, which began during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, has seen him donning different disguises to blend in with the communities he visits. After engaging with porters at railway stations and farmers in their fields, Gandhi recently turned his attention to the often-overlooked railway trackmen. Before this, he has also interacted with cobblers and carpenters.
Gandhi shared details of his latest meeting on social media, highlighting the challenges faced by railway trackmen. He emphasized that these workers, who play a crucial role in maintaining the railways, are often neglected. “There is ‘no promotion, no emotion’ in the system for the trackmen brothers who keep the railways dynamic and safe. Trackmen are the most neglected among the Indian railway employees. I got a chance to understand their problems and challenges by meeting them,” he wrote.
In his post, Gandhi elaborated on the daily struggles of trackmen, who walk 8-10 kilometers each day carrying 35 kg of tools. Their careers begin and end on the tracks, with no opportunities for advancement through departmental exams, unlike other railway employees. He pointed out the alarming statistic that approximately 550 trackmen lose their lives annually in work-related accidents due to inadequate safety measures. Gandhi stressed that the demands of these hardworking individuals, who toil day and night in adverse conditions without basic facilities, must be addressed urgently.
Key Demands from the Modi Government
As part of his role as the leader of the opposition, Gandhi has put forth several critical demands to the government on behalf of the railway trackmen. Firstly, he called for the provision of ‘Rakshak Yantra’ devices to all trackmen, which would alert them to the approach of trains, thereby enhancing their safety. Secondly, he advocated for the inclusion of trackmen in departmental examinations (LDCE) to provide them with opportunities for promotion. Gandhi underscored that the safe rail journeys of millions of Indians are made possible by the relentless efforts of the trackmen, and it is imperative to ensure both their safety and career progression.
