Solapur: Station Master Climbs Kavach Tower at Hotgi Station Alleging Harassment; Railway Officials Rush to Defuse Situation
Reported by Amit Singh
Solapur, 11th July 2026: A tense situation unfolded at Hotgi Railway Station in Solapur Division on Saturday after Station Master S.N. Singh climbed a Kavach tower to protest against an operational directive reportedly issued by the Solapur Division. The incident prompted an immediate response from railway officials, while representatives of the All India Station Masters’ Association (AISMA) reached out to the employee and his family in an effort to bring the situation under control.
According to AISMA, the protest is linked to a directive under which the Station Master has been assigned the responsibility of operating the OHE isolator. The association alleged that Singh’s action was the result of prolonged mental harassment by senior officials, including the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), and Senior Divisional Safety Officer (Sr DSO), claiming that the pressure had pushed him to attempt suicide.
Railway officials, however, said efforts were underway to resolve the matter peacefully.
Speaking to Punekar News, Solapur Division Public Relations Officer Jaydeep Pradakshine said, “We are in discussion with the concerned officials and are assessing the entire situation. Our priority at this moment is to ensure the safety of the employee and understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. An inquiry is being conducted, and the division will issue an official update after the facts are verified.”
Senior railway officials confirmed that the Senior Divisional Operations Manager (Sr DOM) had reached the site and was in direct communication with Singh in an effort to persuade him to come down safely. Officials said continuous dialogue was being maintained to prevent any untoward incident.
Sunil Mishra, Divisional Secretary of the All India Station Masters’ Association, told Punekar News that the association’s representatives were rushing to Hotgi while simultaneously remaining in contact with Singh and his family.
“Our immediate concern is the safety of S.N. Singh. We are on our way to the site and are in constant communication with his family. We are doing everything possible to ensure there is no mishap. We will make every effort to convince him to come down safely and calm the situation because his life is far more important than anything else,” Mishra said.
He further stated, “A divisional meeting of the association is already scheduled for tomorrow, and this incident will be taken up as the highest priority. We will strongly raise the issue of alleged mental harassment of station masters by senior officials. Such concerns affecting the mental well-being of railway staff cannot be ignored, and we will pursue the matter before higher authorities.”
Railway authorities continued negotiations at the site at the time of filing this report, while an official statement from Solapur Division was awaited.
