"The pressure on crucial safety staff has remained very high over the years and this has also been pointed out in various internal reports over the years. While higher-ups in the ministry might be awaiting the assistance of technology before filling vacant posts, the automated anti-collision device tested previously does not seem very promising. The posts need to be filled up immediately," pointed out a retired senior official from SCR.As against a sanctioned strength of 6,398 engineering staff posts, there are only 4,827 filled; the remaining 1,571 are vacant in the East Coast Railway. Engineering staff, signalling staff, and even loco pilots are frequently working 20- 24 hours straight due to vacant positions. Even SCR zone has over 10,000 vacancies in safety staff," said K Shivakumar, divisional secretary, SCR Mazdoor Union.

Source: Times of India January 22, 2017 22:31 UTC