Around 30,000 farmers, activists, among others converged at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 14 to voice their protest against government policies which are causing distress.

Much of the work of checking of trains before departure has been put onto the shoulders of loco pilots and guards – a technical task they are not trained to do. Slackened safety standards are among the many troubles they face.

Loco pilots are being pushed to the limit to cover the work on the railways – through lengthening work hours, continuous night shifts and reduced rest times. These conditions go a long way in explaining the recent spate of fatal railway accidents.