Track maintainers’ unions have expressed outrage over the dismissal of Ram Aasne, a worker who reported a track defect before the July derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express near Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. The North-Eastern Railway zone terminated Aasne’s employment on September 13, alleging he leaked a recording of a conversation about the defect, which they claim violated Railways’ conduct rules.
Tragic Derailment Highlights Safety Concerns
The derailment on July 18 resulted in four deaths and 31 injuries when eight coaches derailed between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations. Following the incident, Aasne’s warning to his superior was shared on WhatsApp, raising significant safety concerns.
Subhash Dubey, National Convener of the North Eastern Railway Men’s Congress Union (NERMC), condemned Aasne’s dismissal as unjust and called for intervention from railway authorities. He warned that such decisions demotivate frontline workers and jeopardize safe train operations. The All India Railway Trackmaintainers’ Union (AIRTU) echoed this sentiment, urging for Aasne’s reinstatement.
Aasne contested his dismissal, claiming he did not leak the conversation and has served the Railways for 24 years. He expressed concern for his family’s well-being, stating that his sudden termination without proper investigation violated natural justice principles.
Railway sources revealed that the Sr ADEN responsible for Aasne’s dismissal was transferred, possibly due to dissatisfaction with the decision. Unions demand a fair review of Aasne’s case, asserting that the treatment of workers undermines accountability within the Railways.