Workers protest death at Matunga workshop

Trade union members protest at Central Railway workshop in Matunga

The railway trade unions on Monday stopped work at the century-old Matunga workshop after an employee died and another suffered serious injuries in an accident a day before. The failure of an electric overhead travelling (EOT) crane caused the accident, the sixth such incident in the past two months.

Trade unions said there have been serious ‘system lapses' in installation, operation and maintenance of EOT cranes. Yet, efforts were being made to protect the negligent contractors and officers, while compromising with the workers' safety, they alleged.

"In recent years, the administration has outsourced activities of EOT crane installation, operation and maintenance, putting the quality and safety at stake, harassing hardworking workers who have tried to highlight deficiencies, despite protests by unions. The union has made all-out efforts to repeatedly convince the administration through discussion at an appropriate level," said Venu P Nair, general secretary, National Railway Mazdoor Union.

Sixth accident in 2 months

The accident on Sunday led to the death of 36-year-old Krishna Mohan Varma (technician-II), while Madhukar Hiwrale (technician-II) is undergoing treatment at Byculla railway hospital.

"This was the sixth accident in the past two months due to the failure of EOT crane/hoist crane," said Nair, blaming the accidents on "privatisation of installation, operation and maintenance despite repeated complaints".

There is a need for a "prompt and stern action before any further loss of life", Nair added.

Central Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer Shivaji Sutar said the administration will look into the matter.

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About the workshop

Built in 1915 by the old Great Indian Peninsula Railway company, the Matunga Carriage workshop was set up as a repair house for broad- and narrow-gauge coaches and wagons on a triangular piece of land skirted by CR's suburban corridors on the east and Western Railway's corridors on the west.

A place of national importance, the Matunga workshop has been helpful during both the first and second world wars, manufacturing shells and converting coaches for military movements, and supplying food grains and other ancillary needs.

Harbour line services briefly hit

Harbour line services were briefly affected on Monday afternoon after a cable hanging from a bridge construction site came in contact with railway's overhead wire near Reay Road station, the CR spokesperson said. The incident occurred at 3.40 pm and services were restored by 4.10 pm.

The Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation has been handling the bridge project.

Previous accidents

26 November, 2022 EOT crane no. 2464 hoisting wire rope broke
03 December, 2022 EOT crane no. 2439 braking notch broke
16 December, 2022 EOT crane no. 1803 hoisting hook broke
19 December, 2022 EOT crane no. 2524 hoisting grabber slipped due to worn out thread (certified by contractor three days before the accident)
12 January, 2023 EOT crane no. 2464's entire hoisting assembly fell down (second accident of this crane)
13 January, 2023 EOT crane no. 2462's entire hoisting assembly fell down with wheel set load