Report based on information received from Shri Narender Panchal, National General Secretary of All India Railway Trackmaintainer Union (AIRTU)
The railway workers employed in the “Gateman” category carry out critical responsibilities. To ensure no accidents occur at level crossings with running trains, they have to work with extreme caution and alertness. However, many workers in the “Gateman” category are required to perform 12-hour shifts, and under emergency situations, a single worker is made to work continuously for 36 hours, 48 hours, and at times 60 hours without sleep. When they request rest from their in-charge officers, they are harassed with threats of transfers. There is a large number of vacancies across the Railways, including in this category. Consequently, many are forced to work for 30 consecutive days without any weekly rest. Moreover, no overtime allowance is paid for working extra hours.
Highlighting the injustice inflicted for the past 5 years on the gatemen working in the Radhopur section under the Samastipur Division of East Central Railway (ECR), Hajipur Zone, the All India Railway Trackmaintainer Union (AIRTU) wrote a letter on 13 August 2026 to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. Acknowledging this, an official from the Ministry of Labour and Employment has sought a reply within 15 days from the General Manager of East Central Railway (ECR) (read both letters below).
This issue concerning gatemen is severe. It is essential to condemn this inhumane treatment by Indian Railways. Due to the vast number of vacancies, workers across all categories in Indian Railways are forced to face such hardships. It is imperative that all railway workers unite with one voice to demand recruitment for vacant posts.
Letter 1: AIRTU Representation (Translation of Hindi letter)
All India Railway Trackmaintainer Union
Letter No.: AIRTU/ECR/DY.CLC/2026/33
Date: 13 August 2026
To,
1. The Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central),
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, Kendriya Sadan, B-Block, 5th Floor, Sultanganj, Patna – 800006 (Bihar).(Competent Regulatory Authority / Chief Adjudicator)
Versus / Respondent
2. The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM),
Samastipur Division, East Central Railway (ECR),Samastipur, Bihar – 848101.
(Divisional Level Competent Administrative Authority / Principal Employer)
Subject: Regarding continuous duty without weekly rest, non-payment of financial compensation for extra duty hours, and mental harassment of gatemen working in Radhopur Section under ADEN Saharsa, Samastipur Division, East Central Railway (ECR), Hajipur Zone for the past 5 years.
Respected Sir,
With deep regret and anguish, I wish to draw your attention to the severe exploitation, inhumane treatment, and blatant violation of Central Labour Laws and HOER regulations faced by gatemen working in the Radhopur Section of the Samastipur Division (Hajipur Zone) for the past 5 years. A collective petition/application signed by the gatemen of the Radhopur section has been received at the address of the National General Secretary of the ‘All India Railway Track Maintainer Union’ (AIRTU) at “Railway Quarter No.-B, Gang Hut, Railway Colony, Budhlada, Punjab-151502” (Copy enclosed).
The key points illustrating the gravity of statutory, inhumane, and financial exploitation in this matter are as follows:
1. Sir, under the HOER rules of the Railways, weekly rest is mandatory for every gateman employee. However, staff here have been subjected to continuous duty for the past 5 years without any rest. As per rules, duties performed on rest days fall under the category of ‘extra work’, for which statutory Overtime Allowance (OTA) or financial compensation is due. Depriving these 50 employees of this compensation for the last 5 years has caused them severe financial loss.
2. Sir, under the pretext of a severe shortage of railway staff and relievers, employees are forced to work continuously for 30–30 days. During emergency situations, a single employee is kept on duty standing for 36 hours, 48 hours, and sometimes up to 60 hours at a stretch without sleep. Despite this, when they request rest from their in-charge, they are harassed with threats of transfer.
3. Sir, due to lack of adequate rest and sleep, most gatemen in this section have fallen prey to serious physical and mental illnesses. Despite being extremely ill, several employees are compelled to perform their duties on regular heavy medication without any leave, which is a direct violation of their Right to Life.
4. Sir, a railway gate is a highly safety-sensitive workplace. An untoward human error can be made at any moment by a gateman who is awake and severely exhausted for 48 to 60 hours. This situation invites a major train disaster, the full responsibility for which will lie with the local railway administration (SSE/Pway/Radhopur and ADEN/Saharsa).
Therefore, the All India Railway Track Maintainer Union demands from your competent authority that:
- Immediate cognizance be taken of this sensitive matter, and orders be issued to the Labour Enforcement Officer (LEO) or Regional Labour Commissioner (RLC) to conduct a surprise inspection/inquiry of the Radhopur section.
- Strict directions be issued to the primary respondent (Divisional Railway Manager, Samastipur) to immediately ensure weekly rest as per the roster to all 50 affected employees (list enclosed).
- Complete records of all extra duty (Overtime) taken from these employees without weekly rest over the last 5 years be called for, calculated as per rules, and timely payment of appropriate financial compensation (Overtime Allowance / Compensation) including arrears be ensured without delay.
- Strict legal and disciplinary action be taken against the officials violating labour laws and HOER rules, and harassing/threatening employees.
Prompt and punitive action is expected from your office in the interest of safeguarding workers’ rights, financial justice, and railway safety.
Enclosures:
1. Copy of the original collective petition sent by the Gatemen of Radhopur Section to the union’s national leadership.
2. Fully verified and legible copy of names, designations, original signatures, and allotted gate numbers of all 50 affected gatemen (Sr. No. 1 to 50).
Yours faithfully,
(Signed)
Narender Panchal
National General Secretary, A.I.R.T.U
Mobile No.: 6280535748, 9569119921
Email: narenderpanchal2594@gmail.com
Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to:
1. General Manager (GM), East Central Railway, Hajipur Zone.
2. Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) / New Delhi.
3. Senior Divisional Personnel Officer (Sr. DPO), Samastipur Division (for verification of overtime records of employees for the last 5 years and payment).
Letter 2: Ministry of Labour & Employment Notice
