They are known for their crisp white topis, their on-the-dot punctuality and their organisational and logistical skills that could put management students to shame. But like almost all other sections of the city’s population, the politics and paucity of space has also started afflicting the functioning of the unfailing army of city dabbawalas, who satisfy the hunger pangs of lakhs every day. Members of the over 5,000-strong community have written to the authorities at Western Railway (WR) asking them to specially reserve two coaches for them, at least for some hours every day.

Dabba crisis: Dabbawalas want two compartments specially reserved for them for some hours every day, as it becomes difficult for them to carry the dabbas and ply in the luggage compartment. File pic