Scores of agitated students demanding jobs in railways blocked the rail traffic affecting the Mumbai train services, including suburban services between Matunga and Dadar stations, on Tuesday and causing difficulties to lakhs of commuters, a Central Railway official said.
The students blocked the rail tracks at 7 am, forcing the railways to stop the suburban as well as express trains in the affected section between Matunga and CSMT.
All four lines are affected between Matunga and CSMT. Police and railway officials were having talks with the protesters at the time of writing this report.
“There has been no recruitment since last four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen,” said a student who was part of the protest.
“We will not budge from here until and unless Railway Minister Piyush Goyal come and meet us. Our several prayers made to DRM (Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division) have failed,” another student said.
“Mumbai police along with GRP and RPF jawans are having talks with the students and railway’s first priority was to clear the track first,” said Chief PRO of Central Railway Sunil Udasi.
Students shouting slogans against railways held placards in their hands demanding one-time settlement from GM quota and said they were demanding jobs from the government.