The Indian Railway Board has issued new orders to ensure that safety personnel, including gatemen, pointmen, cabinmen, and levermen, receive their safety equipment and uniforms on time. These personnel are responsible for the safe operation of over 22,000 passenger and freight trains daily. The board has allocated funds for safety...
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equipment like waterproof raincoats, winter jackets, safety boots, and torches. The board has also proposed a promotion scheme for pointmen, allowing them to progress from Level-1 to Level-5, resulting in significant salary increases. This proposal is pending approval from the Ministry of Finance. Currently, pointmen are recruited at Level-1 with a grade pay of Rs. 1800 and retire at Level-2 with a grade pay of Rs. 1900 after a lifetime of service. The new scheme proposes promotions to Level-4 with a grade pay of Rs. 2400 and Level-5 with a grade pay of Rs. 2800. The board's action is in response to the alarming number of safety personnel, over 200 annually, who become victims of accidents while ensuring safe train operations.