Kolkata Metro faces 180-staff shortage: Motor men plan 72-hour hunger strike

Kolkata Metro has been facing a critical shortage of motor men, with no recruitment carried out since 2010. The Blue Line, which operates 288 trains daily, has only 216 motor men available, creating a significant shortfall of 180 drivers. The recommended number of motor men for efficient operations on this route is 396. Despite the Metro's extensive expansion across Kolkata, including the addition of new lines, no corresponding increase in staff has been implemented over the years.

Motor men are currently being made to work extended shifts, often clocking 10-11 hours daily instead of the standard 8-hour duty period. Many have also reported being denied leave due to the staff shortage. This workload is expected to increase further as several motor men are set to retire in 2025, further exacerbating the workforce deficit unless recruitment begins soon.

In response to these issues, the Kolkata Metro Railway Motor Men’s Union has scheduled a 72-hour relay hunger strike from January 13 to 15. The union has highlighted the excessive work hours and lack of new recruitments as major concerns, urging the authorities to resolve the staffing crisis immediately. The hunger strike is expected to draw attention to the operational challenges faced by the Metro system.

Adding to commuter concerns, the fare for the late-night “Special Night Service” on the Dum Dum–Kavi Subhash route has been increased. Effective from January 1, 2025, the fare for the 10:40 PM service has doubled from ₹10 to ₹20. This hike applies exclusively to the last metro of the day and is operational on weekdays from Monday to Friday. This service allows passengers to travel between Dum Dum and Kavi Subhash late at night when other transit options are limited.

Despite the rising workload on motor men and the fare hike, Metro authorities have not yet provided a detailed plan to address the shortage of motor men. The gap between the rapid expansion of the Metro network and the lack of workforce adjustments continues to create significant challenges for both operations and passengers.