Kolkata Metro is facing a 28.34 per cent shortage of running crew, prompting the Railway Board to direct Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway to arrange staff for metro operations. The Board has also asked Kolkata Metro to seek eligible personnel from other railway zones to fill vacancies and support train services.
The Railway Board’s direction followed a review meeting in New Delhi on September 2 that examined the strength of running staff, including motormen and shunters. A letter dated September 3 said Kolkata Metro had a sanctioned strength of 427 running staff, but only 306 were currently on its rolls, leaving 121 vacancies.
Of the 306 staff members on roll, 164 were on loan from Eastern Railway and 80 from South Eastern Railway, according to the letter. Together, the two railways account for 244 of Kolkata Metro’s running staff. The remaining personnel are either permanently absorbed by Kolkata Metro or belong to other zonal railways.
The sanctioned strength includes 396 motorman posts and 31 shunter posts. Of these, 282 motorman posts and 24 shunter posts were filled, leaving vacancies in both categories. Motormen operate metro trains, while shunters assist with train movements and yard operations. Both roles fall within the broader railway category of running staff.
The Board said the requirement for 121 additional running staff represented 0.6 per cent of the combined on-roll running staff strength of Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway. That combined strength was recorded at 17,506 personnel across the relevant loco-pilot and assistant-loco-pilot categories.
The Board directed Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway to make suitable arrangements to meet Kolkata Metro’s staffing requirements. It also asked Metro Railway to call for options from other railway zones to fill existing vacancies, creating a wider pool for loan or deputation arrangements.
Kolkata Metro had sought permission for such transfers in a letter to the Railway Board on August 24. It said the network had expanded considerably and continued to grow to meet rising demand for urban transport. The metro authority also pointed to longer operating hours, demand for shorter headways and the possibility of additional services as factors increasing the requirement for motormen.
Alongside staff transfers, the Railway Board advised Kolkata Metro to explore outsourcing or re-engagement against stationary posts. It also suggested withdrawing running staff from stationary duties for deployment in train services, improving staff utilisation and minimising staffing requirements.
The instructions place the immediate focus on maintaining train operations as Kolkata Metro expands its network and service commitments. The Board said Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway and Kolkata Metro should hold review and coordination meetings every quarter and report progress to it.
