Kozhikode: As many as 171 posts of railway pointsmen, who are supposed to ensure safe passing of trains, have been lying vacant in Palakkad Railway Division for months now, thanks to the apathy of the officials concerned.

Pointsmen's duty is to carry out orders of the station master in train running, engine shunting, etc.

There are a total of 441 posts of pointsmen available at Palakkad division. Ex-servicemen were appointed on contract basis in 50 posts as a temporary solution. However, their contract ended in June and it has not been renewed.
 
With acute shortage of hands, pointsmen say it is very difficult to manage daily duties. Being an integral part of the team to ensure safe passing of trains, their posts should have been filled on an emergency basis. By turning a blind eye, the concerned officials give chances for a tragedy to happen. 
 
By keeping track safety examiners on duty as pointsmen and closing railway gates throughout night, railway tries to manage the issue. 
 
The move to get staff from the Trichy division has also not been successful. The promise given last month of clearing the issue in 15 days has not been kept. The Public Relations Officer of Palakkad division MK Gopinath assured clearing the issue soon.