KAPURTHALA: Kapurthala, August 5 – A major safety incident occurred at the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala on Tuesday morning, when an under-construction rail coach fell from a crane while being shifted from one line to another inside the Shell Shop. Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident.
According to eyewitnesses and union representatives, the mishap took place due to an alleged failure in the crane's lifting mechanism. A video clip circulating after the incident shows the damaged coach on the ground and a large group of workers gathering at the site.
Soon after the incident, members of the RCF Employees Union, along with other staff unions and associations, launched a protest demonstration against the factory management. The protest lasted for three hours, during which work in the Shell Shop remained suspended.
Workers expressed strong anger over what they called negligence in maintenance and safety protocols. They claimed that while the factory’s production has increased significantly—from around 1, 000 coaches per year earlier to nearly 3, 000 now—the machinery is still being maintained only once annually. Union leaders argued that this was not sufficient, given the increased workload and stress on equipment.
Chanting slogans like “Prashasan hosh mein aao” (Wake up, administration) and “Karamchari ekta zindabad” (Long live worker unity), the protesting employees demanded a change in the current maintenance schedule and stricter safety measures.
A spokesperson from the employees’ union stated, “This accident is a result of carelessness and ignorance toward workplace safety. We have been raising concerns about machinery maintenance for a long time, and today’s incident highlights the real risks faced by workers daily. We want a full, transparent inquiry and immediate action from the administration.”
Following discussions, RCF management gave an assurance to review the workers’ demands and take appropriate steps. The protest was then called off, and normal work resumed in the afternoon.