BENGALURU: The need to install gadgets in the engine room of the train that would alert the loco-pilot and assistant loco pilot on possible fractures, along railway tracks when steering the train was stressed upon by station masters on Saturday.
Briefing the media in connection with the ‘Southern Safety Sammelan’ that took place near the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna railway station, B Kumaraswamy, Zonal Secretary, of the All India Station Masters Association, said, “Rail fractures are bound to occur in this weather. If we have such gadgets installed, then it would alert the train driver about any problems in the tracks up to a one-kilometer distance.” It needs to be started on a few trains in the SWR zone at least on a pilot basis, he said.
The acute shortage of station masters in the zone too was highlighted. “We have a shortage of 150 stations masters in Bengaluru, Hubballi and Mysuru Railway Divisions.
Since stations have to be manned continuously, the shortage ensures that those working presently cannot take leave when required or even have a regular weekly off,” Kumaraswamy added.
Minister of State for Railways, Rajen Gohain, said the suggestion on installing gadgets was an interesting one and it would be discussed with the Railway board.
General Manager of South Western Railways, Ashok Kumar Gupta, said the recruitment of station masters was being carried out on a war footing and the vacancies would get filled up soon.