New Delhi: The Railways has formed a high-level committee to review the working and rest hours of loco pilots and assistant loco pilots. This decision follows a series of train accidents that have tragically resulted in the deaths of numerous passengers and railway employees. In many of these incidents, loco pilots were found in violation of safety rules and held accountable for the accidents.
The issue gained traction after Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi met with members of the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) at New Delhi and Sultanpur railway stations. Gandhi assured the staff that he would address their grievances, particularly regarding the poor facilities in locomotives and rest houses.
According to The Hindu, on Friday, the Railway Board issued orders to establish a high-level committee that includes the Principal Executive Director (Traffic), Additional Member (Staff), and Additional Member (Traction). This committee will focus on the implementation and compliance of the High Power Committee (HPC) recommendations, with an emphasis on outstation rest, headquarters rest, periodical rest, working hours, and adherence to the Hours of Employment Rules (HOER). The committee, based in Delhi, is expected to submit its report within a month.
In addition, the Railway Board has directed senior officers to inspect locomotives and rest houses to ensure the availability of basic amenities for loco running staff, according to sources in Southern Railway.
In recent months, AILRSA members have organized several protests and submitted representations to the General Managers of Zonal Railways, highlighting their long-standing issues. Some MPs from Tamil Nadu have also met with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss the challenges faced by loco pilots, such as the lack of toilet facilities in locomotives and inadequate amenities in rest houses.