TRS to intensify stir for coach factory in Kazipet

Warangal: The employees of the Railways, members of the different non-governmental organisations (NGOs), TRS party activists are gearing up to intensify the agitations for setting up the coach factory as well as resolving other issues of the employees working at the Kazipet junction. As a part of it, the Telangana Railway Employees Joint Action Committee […]

Warangal: The employees of the Railways, members of the different non-governmental organisations (NGOs), TRS party activists are gearing up to intensify the agitations for setting up the coach factory as well as resolving other issues of the employees working at the Kazipet junction. As a part of it, the Telangana Railway Employees Joint Action Committee (JAC) under the leadership of chairman Kondra Narsinga Rao, convenor Devulapally Raghavender and Treasurer Chinta Tirupathi will organise a 30-hour long ‘Maha Nirahardeeksha’ (hunger strike) from 10 am on Sunday (November 28) to 4 pm on Monday.

“We have decided to sit on hunger strike demanding the Central government and Indian Railways to resolve our issues. Our first demand is to shift the crew link Express Trains shifted to Vijayawada must be sent back to Kazipet immediately. Kazipet junction should be declared as the railway division and the station should be renovated. The Centre should allot required funds in the winter session of the Parliament for the periodic overhauling (POH) unit in Kazipet announced in 2016 at an estimated cost of Rs 480 crore. An Electric Traction Training Centre (ETTC),” said JAC leader Narsinga Rao, adding that they were also demanding the Centre set up electric periodic overhauling (POH) shed and the coach factory to provide employment to the people of the State.

Finding fault with the Railways, he said that the crew links of the loco pilots, assistant loco pilots and guards should be reverted to Kazipet junction as the crew are forced to work seven hours without break in the most unfavourable conditions. “Running the train standing the cabin for seven hours while the train vibrates as it is run at 120 km per hour takes a toll on the health of the loco pilots. Moreover, the loco pilot is not allowed to take food or water during this time. This may lead to accidents resulting in loss of lives of passengers,” said convenor Devulapally Raghavender.

Meanwhile, some local NGOs are extending their support to the agitation. Founder President of the Society for Public Welfare Initiative (SPWI), Dr Suresh Devath, said that the demand for the Railway coach factory in Kazipet had been there since early 1982. “It may be noted here that the proposal to establish a coach factory in Kazipet dates to 1982. However, due to political reasons, it was later given to Kapurthala in Punjab when the son of the soil PV Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister,” he added.

The Railway JAC is also demanding the local people’s representatives to mount pressure on the Centre in the upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament and ensure that the demands are addressed.

Meanwhile, Government Chief Whip and Warangal West MLA Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar said that they would take up agitations soon and sought the participation of all the parties.

“The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 clearly states that a railway coach factory would be set up in Telangana. But, the BJP government has now taken a decision against the promise made in the Act. This is a grave injustice to the Telangana people. Setting up a coach factory is a three-decade-old demand. I appeal to all to join hands with the TRS in the fight for the coach factory,” he added.

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