MUMBAI, November 17: The privatisation of maintenance systems of the suburban services of the Western and Central railways could be responsible for the several mishaps that have been occurring lately, claim railway running staff. Senior motormen say 55 lakh commuters have been inconvenienced in the last six years since maintenance works were handed over to private parties.They point out that the derailment of three coaches of a Churchgate bound local near Mumbai Central last week, was due to "slackness on part of the contractor to maintain the tracks in the last three months".A contractor entrusted with the task of maintaining tracks is supposed to regularly check the fittings like the fish-plates, sleepers, the bolts and the alignment of a rail on a sleeper.However, it has come to light on several occasions that the bolts are not replaced at all, even after their lifespan is over. As the railways are now laying only cement concrete sleepers for a smoother ride, it has become necessary that the fittings are in absolute order, or it might lead to derailment, stated sources. Recognised unions of the running staff have made several representations to both the Central and Western railway administrations in the last six years.J R Bhosale of the Western Railway Employees Union says: ``Several representations were made to the WR officials about the quality of the contractors' work as far as track and signal maintenance are concerned. For a very small period a few years ago, there have been instances when the railways have cancelled the agreement with the contractor for not keeping upto the maintenance standards." Similar comments were echoed by the office bearers of the Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh. The contracts are issued on a "section-basis" annually, wherein a particular section of the track is put up for maintenance. Performance evaluation of the contractors are done regularly. The work is done under the supervision of senior officials.Yet, hardships for the commuters persist. Last year alone, the WR has failed on at least ten occasions while the CR on over 25 occasions. Running staff hint that contractors often get away by greasing railway officers' palms. Senior officials of both the CR and the WR admit that such lapses on the part of the contractors have led to mishaps in the last five years. But they assert that apart from contractors' negligence, human error and the use of substandard materials cannot be ruled out altogether. Ravindra Tandon, chief spokesperson for the WR told Express Newsline said, ``The contractors are supervised by railway officials. Besides, various factors lead to a mishap which call for thorough investigation."
