2.50 lakh vacancies in Indian Railways at various levels, most with Northern Railway

Indian Railways employees often complain of being overworked. In 2017, a joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) of Railways had even warned that the employees were working beyond duty hours and their performance may get impacted due to this.

The recent tussle between motormen and Central Railway is just another extension of this long persisting issue. The Central Railway motormen had decided to do away with overtime and this not just highlighted the plight of front-line employees but also drew attention towards the number of vacancies with the Railway zones.

According to a DNA report, Northern Railway has the maximum number of vacancies with 31,222 posts. Central Railway stands second with 21,359 empty posts, Eastern Railway third with 19,558 vacant posts while Western Railway stands fourth with 19,052 vacant posts.

As per April 2018 figures, as many as 2.5 lakh positions are vacant with the Indian Railways' 17 zones.

Railway unions have been claiming that the shortage of staffs has created safety-related issues.

Railways is conducting recruitment exams for around 1.2 lakh posts, which include Assistant Loco Pilots, Technicians and Level 1 (Group D) workers. Railways staff and unions hope that many of these posts will be filled once the recruitment process is over. This might bring some sigh of relief for overworked Railway staffs.