In a recent turn of events at the New Delhi Railway Station, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with loco pilots has sparked controversy within the Railways. The train drivers’ unions have countered the Railways’ claim that the loco pilots met by Gandhi were ‘brought from outside the Delhi Division.’ The Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railway (NR) suggested that the loco pilots were not from the crew lobby at the station, hinting that they might have been brought in from other locations. However, various loco pilots’ associations present during Gandhi’s visit have stated that it is irrelevant to focus on the divisions and zones of work of the pilots, as they all share similar grievances regardless of their origin.
R Kumaresan, President of the South Zone of the All India Loco Running Staff Association, highlighted that Rahul Gandhi interacted with loco pilots from various rail divisions, not exclusively limited to Delhi. The union members emphasized common challenges faced by all train drivers, such as long duty hours, denial of weekly rest, and inadequate facilities while on duty. Kamlesh Singh, Central Treasurer of the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO), also reiterated that these issues are widespread across all divisions and zones, making the focus on Delhi Division pilots unnecessary.
Furthermore, the loco pilots revealed that after Gandhi’s visit, officials from the Railway Ministry promptly attended to their grievances, addressing concerns raised during the interaction. They shared longstanding issues such as long duty hours, lack of washroom facilities, and the absence of adequate breaks while on driving duty. Singh praised the Railway Board for their swift response, indicating a positive step towards resolving the problems faced by train drivers.
The All India Loco Running Staff Association’s South Zone president, R Kumaresan, underscored the urgent need to address safety issues affecting loco pilots and passengers in the Indian Railways. The recent memorandum handed to Rahul Gandhi highlighted the demanding work conditions of drivers, with extended shifts, insufficient rest periods, and ongoing safety concerns. The association called for appropriate measures to be taken to ensure the well-being of loco pilots and prevent potential accidents caused by human error.
Kumaresan also outlined the struggle of loco pilots in attaining adequate rest, citing discrepancies in entitlements compared to other railway staff. The union emphasized the need for uninterrupted rest periods, in line with previous judgments favouring the drivers. Issues such as extended night duties, lack of adequate breaks, and prohibitive working conditions were brought to Gandhi’s attention as the association sought intervention to address these longstanding challenges in the Railways.
The controversy surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with loco pilots has shed light on the plight of train drivers and the pressing need for reforms to improve their working conditions and ensure safety in Indian Railways. The engagement between the Congress leader and the union members has spurred discussions on critical issues affecting loco pilots nationwide, with hopes for meaningful changes to be implemented to support these essential workers.
