Lakhs of rail track maintainers still haven’t received two-litre insulated water bottles, despite the Railway Ministry’s directive to its 17 zones in April and a subsequent reminder a month later, according to the All India Railway Track Maintainers Union.
Distribution Delays and Quality Issues
In certain divisions where distribution has commenced, the union has alleged that the water bottles provided were of substandard quality. The union, representing over four lakh track maintainers, has stated that several railway divisions in zones including Western, North-Eastern, North Central, Central, and West Central, among others, have yet to commence the distribution process.
“The distribution process is yet to begin in the Western Zone,” Satish Yadav, the general secretary of AIRTU, Western Railway, said.
Ramnaresh Paswan, the national president of AIRTU, noted that even the Central Railway has failed to distribute these water bottles to track maintainers.
Health Risks and Government Neglect
Track maintainers often rely on water from wells, nearby ponds, and other available sources in rural areas, leading to health issues due to unhygienic and contaminated water, Paswan explained. He serves as both the general secretary of the Central Zone’s AIRTU and the national president of the organization.
The Indian Railway neglects to supply clean drinking water to those responsible for ensuring the daily safety of lakhs of passengers, he added.
According to Paswan, the distribution of insulated water bottles aims to help track maintainers stay hydrated during periods of intense heat.
Paswan highlighted that despite two directives from the Railway Ministry on April 9 and a reminder on May 20 to all zones, few divisions have taken action, with most yet to comply with the Railway Board’s guidance.
Continuing Challenges and Safety Concerns
Rakesh Varma, the general secretary of North Eastern Railway (NER) AIRTU, mentioned that distribution began in his zone just 20 days ago, and only in the Lucknow division.
“The distribution in two other divisions — Izzatnagar and Varanasi — is yet to begin,” Varma said.
Even in the Lucknow division, the bottles provided are of inferior quality and cannot keep water cool for more than one or two hours, he noted.
Yadav pointed out that with the monsoon approaching and heat conditions already subsiding in many parts of the country, insulated water bottles of two-litre capacity are still absent in many divisions.
AIRTU office bearers emphasize that track maintainers play a vital role in ensuring trains run safely by continuously monitoring the condition of the tracks. However, they assert that the government frequently fails to fulfill its promises of providing proper facilities for these workers.
Unfulfilled Promises
Yadav pointed out that winter uniforms are often distributed only after winter has ended. He criticized the Railway Ministry for its laxity, which makes the lives of track maintainers difficult and challenging. Despite having an annual budget of over Rs 2.5 lakh crore, the ministry fails to provide such a small yet crucial facility to those working day and night to ensure safe train operations.
AIRTU reports that numerous track maintainers have died from sunstroke while on the job.
On April 9 and May 20, the Railway Board instructed all its zones and production units to provide track maintainers with insulated water bottles of two-litre capacity in response to the intense heat conditions.
“Keeping in view the ensuing heat condition across the country, the Civil Engineering Directorate has requested to reiterate the instructions regarding the provision of water bottles to the eligible categories of employees,” a letter by the board to all zones and production units said.
The instructions mandated that the water bottles should hold two litres and include adequate heat insulation to maintain cool water for five to six hours.
(With PTI inputs)