A discrepancy has come to light regarding the payment made to hamals (porters) for shifting injured passengers from railway stations/ accident sites to hospitals in Mumbai division of Central and Western Railways.
While Central Railway’s Mumbai division pays Rs 200 per hamal, with a maximum of four hamals, Western Railway pays only Rs 100 per hamal, as revealed in responses to Right to Information (RTI) queries filed by railway activist Samir Zaveri.
Zaveri received Central Railway’s RTI response on January 29, 2025, stating that it pays Rs 200 per hamal for this crucial service. However, in a surprising contrast, Western Railway, in its RTI reply to Zaveri in December 2024, disclosed that it pays only Rs 100 per hamal – a significant difference, considering both railway divisions operate within Mumbai.
Experts and activists argue that lack of uniformity in railway policies could impact timely assistance to accident victims, particularly in a city like Mumbai, where railway injuries are frequent. Zaveri urged railway authorities to communicate and standardize payments across divisions to prevent such inconsistencies in the future.
“This is a serious lapse. Such discrepancies in payment can lead to delays or reluctance in shifting injured passengers, potentially risking lives,” said Zaveri. He emphasized the need for better coordination between Central and Western Railway authorities to ensure uniform policies for emergency medical aid.
