Rawalpindi:
A dangerous attack of toxic hoses on platform # 6 within the railway station in Rawalpindi Railway Station has been reported, leaving railway workers deeply alerted. Five toxic snakes have already been killed in the area over the past week alone.
Platform 6 acts as an important operational node that acts as the primary load and unloading point for shipping arriving from Karachi, Lahore and Quetta. This is also where trains undergo routine inspections, fitness assessments and minor repairs. Staff from six different rail departments are stationed at this location.
The surface of the platform completely does not remain paved. As a result of the ongoing monsoon season, wild grass, dense weeds and cannabis have grown uncontrolled and reached heights up to three meters, creating ideal conditions for snakes to hide and breeding.
The area is frequented daily by staff from wagon and wagon, traffic, mechanical, loco driving, signal and product departments. These teams are responsible for tasks, including deep cleaning of buses, washing of seats, technical inspections and repairing engines, bogies, lighting systems and storage rooms.
However, due to the thick vegetation, the workers are forced to perform their tasks while sitting in the middle of high grass and shrubs, with hoses that often appear without warning.
The Union’s representatives from the Railway Workers’ Association and the Railway Mazdoor Intehad report that the risk has been so pronounced that two workers during operation are now exclusively placed to keep an eye on snake activity while others continue their duties. Repeated appeals have been taken to the Divisional Superintendent (DS) railways to clear the vegetation, but so far no meaningful action has been taken.
Further composition of the problem is the fact that the railway hospital is reportedly lacking anti-friendoms, injections or vaccines needed in the event of a snake bit. The Union leaders have warned that if any worker is injured or mortally bitten, all affiliated railway associations will file a murder case against the relevant authorities.
They emphasized that the monsoon period marks the highest breeding season for toxic hoses, which significantly raises the risk of employees.
Railway Workers Union, Loco Shed Union and Railway Mazdoor Intehad have jointly demanded that DS and General Manager Railways make an urgent visit to Platform 6 and immediately order the approval of the overwhelming vegetation. Otherwise, they have threatened to arrange a protest in front of the divisional office.
In response, a spokesman for the DS office confirmed that the divisional superintendent has noted the situation and that grass cutting operations will soon begin.
