For the average Mumbai residents travelling woes are set to return after nearly 450 motormen from the Western Railway went on a flash strike on Friday according to this DNA report. The initial reports suggest that nearly 100 motormen called in sick one hour before rush hour was due to begin.
Speaking to CNN-IBN, Western Railway motormen association president Devendra Yadav said, “More than 200 assistant motormen have taken sick leave. We have raised several demands before the government.”
Empty railway tracks on Mumbai’s Western Railways following the strike. Firstpost/Parag Shinde
The motorman are striking for better working conditions and the implementation of sixth pay commission. The flash strike is likely to affect lakhs of daily commuters in Mumbai who rely on the local trains to get to work and back home.
The trains were operational even after the motormen went on strike but were filled beyond capacity as office goers rushed to get home.
Traffic jams during peak travelling hours are likely as commuters will now be forced to choose either a bus or hire private autos or taxis. According to the DNA report, the strike could affect Mumbai’s Central line railway as well and make the crisis even worse. Currently only Western Railway officials are on strike.
Trains from Churchgate to Virar route will be affected under the current strike.
Western Railways is already trending on Twitter. According to Mid-Day’s twitter feed, “Just some trains moving. Our reporters are being asked not to click photographs.”
The Dark Knight rises jokes are also doing the rounds. Jinesh Dumlawkar@ JinnyBoi tweeted:
The motormen on Western Railway went on strike because they couldn’t get the tickets for #TDKR!
The report says that motormen of the Western Railway have been agitating for a few months to ensure the implementations of the Sixth Pay Commission, which will ensure that they are above guards in terms of grade pay. The Motormen Association has apologised to the common public for the inconvenience.
