Rly keymen, incharge of detecting track defects, want shorter 'beat length'

Railways keymen, who walk 8 km everyday inspecting every crack and every nut and bolt to detect defects on tracks and ensure their repair in time for trains to pass, have pleaded with the railway board to reduce their 'beat length' to 3 km, which, they say, will improve safety.

The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR)have written to the board stating that the 2.2 lakh keymen on the payroll of the national transporter, who are considered railways' last line of defence against safety issues actually walk double their beat length - to and fro - carrying equipment and other necessities which weigh around 14 kg.

The NFIR has reiterated its demand to the Railway Board in a letter dated June 22, referring to its earlier march 20 latter, "explaining the need to reduce the beat length of Track Maintainer-Il, performing the duties of keyman to 3 Kms..."