Mumbai locals crippled: Railways clarifies aspirants did not appear for exams

The Railways said that the protesters, who brought Mumbai local train services on Central Line to standstill, just pursued apprenticeship at railway workshops.

With hundreds of job aspirants crippling Mumbai local train services, the railways has refuted the claims of protesters saying they did not appear in any examination. Chief PRO of Railways, Sunil Udasi, has clarified that the protesting aspirants did not appear for any examination.

He said that the protesters just pursued apprenticeship at railway workshops. He added that they can still submit their forms till March 31, following which the examinations will be conducted.

The protesters have claimed that they have not been given jobs despite appearing for examination. They said there has been no recruitment in the services in the last four years, claiming that over 10 students have committed suicide over the issue.

They said that several prayers have been made to Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division but none have been acted upon. “Protests won’t be stopped unless Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal comes to protest site and meet the aspirants,” said one of the protesters.

The aspirants have demanded one-time settlement must be done from General Manager’s quota.

The students blocked the rail track at 7 am in the morning, forcing railway to stop the suburban as well as express train in the affected section between Matunga and CSMT. Entire four lines have been affected between Matunga and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Police and railway official are having talks with them, the official said.

"There has been no recruitment since last four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," a student who was part of the protest said.

"We will not budge from here until and unless Railway Minister Piyush Goyal come and meet us. Our several prayers made to DRM (Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division) have failed," another student said.

"Mumbai police along with GRP and RPF jawans are having talks with the students and railway's first priority was to clear the track first," Chief PRO of Central Railway Sunil Udasi said.

Students shouting slogans against railways held placard in their hands demanding one-time settlement from GM quota and said that they demand jobs from government.