Thiruvananthapuram: Track maintainers, who inspect Punalur-Sengottai stretch of Kollam-Sengottai line, are in a fix after railways resumed night foot patrolling along the ghat route that passes through Thenmala reserve forest. The patrolling, usually done during the rainy season, was stopped after staff members spotted a leopard.The trackmen and contract workers have to walk along the track from 8.30pm to 4am to ensure safety of trains by checking if there are mudslides, stones or branches on tracks. A train is allowed only if an all-clear information is relayed to nearest station master.However, employees began opposing the practice as they felt that it was risky to walk along the line through the forest at night.There are elephant crossings at many spots between Edamon and Aryankavu.Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) urged railways to discontinue the practice and suggested that a light locomotive or motorised track inspection trolleys be used.“When night patrolling was suspended, two workers used to travel on the night train carrying equipment including a chain saw. This practice can be continued instead of putting the lives of employees at risk,” said a track maintainer.Trains run at 30kmph on the ghat route and the loco pilot will be able to spot if there are obstacles on the track and stop the train in time, he added.There is also a demand to reduce the distance to be covered and reduce speed at which it needs to be covered so that the team doesn’t get tired from the trek and remain alert.A railway employee said night patrolling was the most risky along ghat sections and where the line passes through forests. In Walayar, they use a locomotive to check tracks. “It’s a very old practice but it is still continued without modernisation. Railway officials are hesitant to allow vehicles to inspect the tracks. People trek in groups to remain safe,” he said.
