LOCO RUNNING STAFF
Railways says Rahul Gandhi met drivers from outside, 'We have similar issues,' counter Unions
Unions dispute Railways' claim that Rahul Gandhi met non-Delhi Division pilots at New Delhi Railway Station. CPRO Deepak Kumar cast doubt. R Kumaresan, Kamlesh Singh, and Sanjay Pandhi emphasized common grievances. Ministry officials responded. All India Loco Running Staff Association and IRLRO involved. Gandhi, the opposition leader, didn’t enter running rooms. Pilots face long duty hours.
Train drivers draw Rahul Gandhi's attention to 'serious safety issues' in Railways
The All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) has handed a memorandum to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, blaming poor working conditions for recent train accidents. The memorandum highlights the plight of train drivers, who work 14 to 16 hours a day and get home after three or four days.
Railways reviews safety after Bengal train accident
On June 17, a container train collided with a passenger carrying Kanchanjunga Express. Four coaches of the passenger train derailed, leading to 10 deaths, including the loco pilot of the container train and the guard of the Kanchanjunga Express.
Indian Railways announces 13,000 new assistant loco pilot vacancies
The Railway Board has approved 18,799 vacancies for assistant loco pilots (ALP), as per instructions sent to general managers of all Zonal Railways. This represents more than a threefold increase compared to the 5,696 ALP vacancies announced in January 2024.
Railways suspends drivers, assistants for operating trains at 120 kmph against 20 kmph limit
Drivers of Gatiman Express and Malwa Express suspended for speeding at 120 kmph in a 20 kmph cautionary speed limit section near Agra Cantt during bridge renovation work.
High-powered committee to implement breaks for food, nature's call for train drivers
The Ministry of Labour has constituted a high-powered committee to work out the modalities "to provide defined time intervals for food and attending calls of the nature while on duty for the Loco Running Staff of the Indian Railway". The initiative is in line with the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919, which has been ratified by India.
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Driverless train incident fallout: Railways launches special counselling drive for loco pilots
A written instruction, addressed to chief loco inspectors (CLIs) and lobby in-charge of various stations, detailed the recent incident of driverless running of a freight train for about 75 km between Jammu and Pathankot and said the present counselling drive aims at avoiding recurrence of such incidents in future.
Railway orders 15-day intensive safety drive
In the aftermath of the tragic collision between two trains in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, resulting in the loss of at least 14 lives, the Railway Board has taken swift action to enhance safety measures. The board has directed all railway zones to initiate an intensive two-week safety drive commencing from October 31.
Train drivers shouldn't work beyond 12 hours: Railway Board
The Indian Railway Board has issued consolidated guidelines to all zones regarding the maximum working hours for train drivers. The guidelines state that drivers should not exceed 12 hours of work, with the possibility of working beyond this limit in exceptional circumstances. The guidelines also highlight the importance of ensuring adequate rest and meal breaks for drivers. However, the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO) has raised concerns about the lack of provisions for lunch breaks and the potential for drivers to be overworked. The IRLRO has called for clearer guidelines on relieving staff and maintaining their safety.
Railway Board examining demand for giving one-time option to women drivers, track maintainers to change job category
The Railway Board is considering a request from the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) to allow women track maintainers and running staff to change their job category due to harsh working conditions. The board has asked railway zones to provide data on the number of female track maintainers and assistant loco pilots (ALPs), as well as the number of pending requests for a job category change.
Do medicines taken by drivers, guards for lifestyle diseases impact safe train ops, railways asks zones
The Railway Board has instructed all railway zones to submit information on the lifestyle diseases of train drivers and guards, the medications they take while on duty, and the impact on train operations. This move comes as concerns have been raised about the increasing cases of diseases among the running staff. The Board is also seeking data on the advisories given to the staff regarding their medications and whether the current system of medical examination needs any changes.
Exclusive: New law on digital competition likely to regulate Big Tech; IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Data Protection Bill
Happy Thursday! The government is planning a separate digital competition law instead of tweaking the existing Competition Act to regulate Big Tech companies. This exclusive story and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Railways to launch special trains connecting heritage sites: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Elaborating on the concept, Vaishnaw said the Railways had planned to introduce a new concept -- 'Heritage special' which would be built using 'steam engines' as the theme.
Why deadly Balasore train accident should serve as an amber signal for Indian Railways
In the devastating triple train accident in Odisha’s Balasore recently, which claimed 288 lives and injured more than 1,000 people, the Coromandel Shalimar Express, running at 128 kmph, and the YesvantpurHowrah Superfast, at 126 kmph, were nearing the speed limit of 130 kmph. Though speed won’t be a subject of inquiry — as none of the trains was overspeeding — this deadly episode should be seen as an amber signal to the transport behemoth that it must continue its journey carefully, and speed up only with safety gears on.
Odisha train derailment: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala poses set of 9 questions to PM Modi
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his handling of railway safety which led to the Odisha train accident. Surjewala tweeted about nine questions related to the accident and railway safety. The Congress leader has highlighted that lack of monitorization of the signal maintenance system has led to previous derailments and the current accident.
Railway Board meting out injustice to train drivers, managers in terms of pay, duty hours: Employees' union
According to the AIRF, all loco pilots -- shunting, goods trains, passenger trains, and express/mail -- are placed in a common pay-level under the seventh Central Pay Commission. The shunting loco pilot pilots a loco from platform to shed and back.
Railway zones ordered to follow prescribed speed limit in trains fitted with controversial German brakes
After a series of complaints and accidents involving goods trains fitted with the German-made Bogie Mounted Brake System (BMBS), railway zones were last year instructed to restrict the maximum speed of loaded trains, with more than 50 per cent wagons fitted with the system, to 50 kmph on down gradients of 1 in 100, 65 kmph on level tracks of IR and 80 kmph on DFC.
Railways seeks feedback from staff on urinals in locomotives
The Railways has sought feedback from its running staff on urinals to be installed in locomotives, after complaints were raised over the unhygienic conditions under which they have to answer nature's call while driving trains.
Goods train derails, falls into river in Odisha
Six coaches of the train carrying wheat plunged into the river around 2.30 am, but the loco pilot and other staff were reported to be safe as the engine remained on the track, officials said.
No breath analyzer test, biometric verification for loco running staff: Delhi High Court to Railways
A bench of Justices J R Midha and Jyoti Singh said the high court's interim order of March 27, directing the Railways not to conduct the test or verification till April 17, "is confirmed" and "shall continue during lockdown period".
Deccan Queen train to have all-female staff on International Women's Day
The ticket-checking staff, RPF personnel and electric technician will also be all-women.
1.42 lakh rail safety staff posts vacant across India
As against a sanctioned strength of 6,398 engineering staff posts, there are only 4,827 filled; the remaining 1,571 are vacant in the East Coast Railway.
1.3 lakh safety staff shortage derails railways
The railways, which has been more than enthusiastic in spending on 'designer uniforms' and other branding exercises, has exhibited nothing but apathy
Railways seek call details of loco pilots as safety exercise
Railways have sought details of call records of phones all its loco pilots and assistant loco pilots given to them by the public transporter to see if they use the mobiles.
Heritage steam train run to mark 150 years of Delhi region operations
Indian Railways is planning to run a heritage train with a steam engine, between Safdarjung and Old Delhi stations in August to commemorate 150 years of train services in the Delhi region.
Gorakhpur train accident: Driver fatigue to blame
The accident has once again highlighted the shortage of loco pilots in railways and the heavy workload being shared by the ones on duty.
Railways depriving locomotive drivers of sleep
There is no upper limit in the India railways rulebook on the number of night duties to be done by the engine crew despite major rail accidents.
Railways not too keen on giving locos to Pakistan
The railways is reluctant to accede to Pakistan's request for sale or lease of 100 diesel locos due to its own shortage of engines.
Railways to promote steam loco tourism
Pitching for regular running of steam locos between tourism destinations, Railways today said it will help preserve steam heritage as well as boost tourism in the country.
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