Union Power Struggle Jeopardizes Rail Safety Advocacy

A factional dispute among the leadership of the All India Railway Trackmaintainers Union (AIRTU) is hindering its primary role of representing the crucial interests of frontline track maintenance workers. The internal rift has surfaced with various factions attempting to seize top union posts, potentially compromising advocacy efforts.

In response to the turmoil, some union officials have sought intervention from the deputy registrar of trade unions in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The AIRTU, formally registered at the regional labour commissioner's office in Gandhinagar, is active in 13 out of India's 18 railway zones, representing over two lakh track maintainers.

Disputes over leadership have escalated with allegations of document manipulation and financial misconduct, as factions vie for legitimacy through separate annual general meetings in Nagpur, Delhi, and Bhopal. Meanwhile, on-the-ground workers stress the urgent need for safety measures, including the promised but largely undelivered GPS-enabled Rakshak devices to alert them to approaching trains.

(With inputs from agencies.)