Mumbai railway staff rally for Hazare

Mumbai: Motormen of both Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR), the lifeline of Mumbai's commuters, yesterday joined millions of Indians across the country to lend support to Anna Hazare and fight corruption.

Fortunately for the city's suburban rail commuters, the motormen decided to march from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to Azad Maidan at 5.30pm only after completing their duty hours.

Though their rally starts during the evening rush hour, "there will be no disruption in rail services since the motormen are joining the movement on a personal basis after finishing their work," a WR spokesman told Gulf News.

More than 500 motormen of the two suburban railway lines have been sporting Gandhi caps even whilst running trains and in a way have inspired many commuters to join the Hazare campaign against corruption.

"Corruption has affected every Indian, including railway employees, particularly motormen who barely get any holidays and are paid a paltry sum of Rs 260 [Dh20] to come and work on a public holiday," Devendra Yadav, Motorman, WR, told this paper.

"We shall continue to lead protest marches to Azad Maidan till Anna breaks his fast and the Jan Lokpal Bill is introduced in the parliament," he said.

Work to rule

The Central Railway Motormen Association has already announced its support to Hazare's agitation and threatened that the motormen's body will resort to work to rule agitation if there is any mistreatment of the anti-corruption crusader by the government or undemocratic methods are used to deal with the fasting leader.

Meanwhile, Sasoon Dock in Colaba remained closed this morning as more than 1,500 members from Anna Hazare Bhrastachar Virodhi Manch, an organisation comprising fishermen, seafood suppliers, exporters and others, who earn foreign exchange worth Rs 10 billion, led a rally from Sasoon dock to Azad Maidan.

Also several traders' associations, students and their parents and as well as other supporters participated in rallies and marches held in Bandra Kurla Complex and suburban towns of Borivili, Bhandup, Thane and Kalyan.