Mumbai Metro staff upset over quarter allotment process, raise concerns about MMMOCL's overall operations

The employees are urging higher authorities and MMRDA to restore fairness, transparency, and trust within Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd. Pic/X

Despite the Mumbai Metro network expanding and operating smoothly, serious internal grievances have surfaced within the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) - the operating body responsible for Metro and Monorail services under Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

Highlighting this along with other key issues, the employees are urging higher authorities as well as the MMRDA leadership to step in and restore fairness, transparency, and trust within MMMOCL.

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Employees have raised concerns over what they call a "flawed and non-transparent" allotment process for newly inaugurated staff quarters located at the Charkop Metro Depot. The quarters were officially opened earlier this year by Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

Controversial allotment sparks employee outcry

On December 1, employees received an official notification via the e-office system regarding the distribution of residential quarters. The method used for allotment - prioritising "first login" on the website - has drawn widespread criticism from ground-level operational staff.

Workers argue that such a system is impractical for those engaged in essential maintenance, likening it to "booking a Tatkal ticket" at the cost of interrupting critical metro operations.

Although seniority and date of joining (DOJ) were later listed as additional criteria, employees allege that these norms were not followed when final allocations were issued.

Deviation from standard government norms

As per practices widely followed in government bodies and metro corporations across India, quarter allotment is typically based on seniority and date of joining.

Employees claim that MMMOCL's Human Resources (HR) Department and management did not provide a clear explanation for deviating from these norms, leading to frustration among staff.

Due to the abrupt changes and lack of transparency, several employees assert that they, despite being eligible for the quarters, have been left without housing.

Many say their families now face uncertainty as they attempt to secure accommodation in Mumbai's already challenging housing environment.

Demands

Immediate suspension of the current allotment process

A fresh, transparent allotment list strictly based on government norms

Assurance that no punitive action will be taken against employees raising concerns

Improvements in communication and administrative transparency for future processes

Broader concerns: Beyond housing issues, employees have highlighted multiple systemic problems within MMMOCL.

Stagnant promotions: Many workers claim they have not been promoted even after more than five years of service.

Unequal promotion practices: Staff allege that some administrative employees received promotions without official notifications.

Difficulty in obtaining NOCs: Employees describe the NOC (no-objection certificate) process as unnecessarily restrictive, limiting career mobility.

Lack of clear administrative rules: Workers say absence of defined policies creates confusion and inconsistent decision-making.

Deployment without orders: Some claim they are sent to other metro lines or stations for testing and operations without formal deployment letters.

No fresh recruitment: Instead of hiring new permanent staff, contractual employees, allegedly with insufficient experience, are being appointed.

Vacant senior posts: Even with several senior roles unfilled, long-serving employees say they are not being considered for advancement.

Experienced staff resigning: According to employees, mismanagement and lack of growth have pushed many skilled workers to leave the organisation.

Employees said that unresolved administrative issues may impact long-term organisational performance even though Mumbai Metro's operations currently remain unaffected. While the city's metro system continues to run efficiently above ground, employees argue that the organisation that keeps it moving is "derailed" by internal mismanagement.

MMRDA officials said they will be unable to comment on any of the issues immediately since the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly session was on.