Though Passenger train services are cancelled during lockdown, Railway is running goods trains and parcel trains to ensure the supplies of essential commodities across the country. Station Masters, Loco pilots, Guards, RPF, Maintenance staff, Control Office staff and other essential category staff are working to ensure the movement of Goods trains and Parcel trains carrying essential commodities.
As a precaution to fight against COVID-19, railway is providing masks for these frontline staff. These masks are being manufactured in-house. Some of the staff working from home have also volunteered to prepare masks. Some family members of railway staff are also helping the railways in its fight against corona by volunteering to stitch masks for the railway staff.
In addition to this, Shri P. Augustine, a retired Master Craftsman who was working in Carriage shop at Hubballi Workshop has come forward to stitch masks for the use of railway staff. He has stitched 100 masks so far and has intended to stitch 1000 more masks. The material for mask preparation is being supplied to him by the mechanical department of Hubballi Division.
Shri Ajay Kumar Singh, General Manager of South Western Railway has appreciated the selfless service of the retired employee and said that such contribution will go a long way in overcoming the present crisis. It shows the commitment that even if Railway employee retires she/ he will remain service minded, he said.
It may be noted that recently, Shri Suresh Angadi, Hon’ble Minister of State of Railways had addressed appreciation letters to Smt Anitha B., wife of Shri Jeremiah Basimalla, a track maintainer working in Hubballi and Smt. Deepa T., a railway employee working in Bengaluru Division who have stitched masks for staff.
