Only 12,539 officers present when required total is 15,762; shortage of 3,223 Gazetted Officers in Railways

KOCHI: The Union Ministry of Railways has said that there is a shortage of 3,223 gazetted officers in various sectors and posts in the railways. There are only 12,539 officers present when the required total is 15,762. A shortage of 20 percent may affect the functioning of the railways.

According to the figures up to April 1, 2024, South Eastern Railway has a requirement of 779 officers and the existing number of 581. The Central Organization for Railway Electrification requires 151 people, while the current number is 47. There are 3,223 vacancies in more than 40 posts. Eastern Central Railway has the highest number of vacancies at 272. Indian Railways Institute of Management has the lowest vacancy, only one.

This information came in response from Kalpana Ved, a senior officer of the Indian Railways to the RTI request by Raju Vazhakkala, a native of Ernakulam Kakkanad.

Vacancies as follows

(Required, Vacant)

Eastern Central Railway.........813-272

Northern Railway..................1367-259

Eastern Railway......................907-258

North Frontier Railway.......... 870-199

South Eastern Railway ..........779-198

South Central Railway...........890-194

Northern Central Railway......663-160

Central Railways...................1030-153

Southern Railways................1068-143

West Central Railway.............567-127