Despite stiff resistance from the trade unions, the Ministry of Railways has decided to go ahead with its decision to close down its five printing presses across the network and outsource the printing of tickets until complete digitisation of the ticketing system is achieved.
The 2019 decision to close down the printing presses at Royapuram and Chennai (Southern Railway); Secunderabad (South Central Railway); Byculla and Mumbai (Central Railway); Howrah (Eastern Railway); and Shakurbasti, Delhi (Northern Railway) was deferred after the All India Railwaymen Federation (AIRF), Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) and other trade unions opposed the move.
In a communication to General Managers of all Zonal Railways, the Railway Board said a decision had now been taken to wind up the printing presses. The staff would be redeployed suitably and machinery, plants, etc., disposed of by the concerned railway in a manner to derive maximum value for money.
