Southern Railway declares security drive for loco pilots

The Chennai Division of Southern Railway has introduced a 15-day security drive to be strictly adopted by loco pilots (LPs) and assistant loco pilots (ALPs) to avert Sign Handed At Hazard (SPAD) incidents, which happens when a practice strikes previous a pink sign with out correct authorisation.

This security drive comes within the wake of the suspension of the loco pilots and assistant loco pilots of the Yelagiri Categorical for sign leaping on July 6.

The Yelagiri Categorical, which departed from Dr. MGR Central Railway Station, halted at Avadi after loco pilot P.S. Rao complained of well being points. Nevertheless, an inquiry revealed that he had jumped a pink sign close to Vyasarpadi Railway Station, and had resorted to well being points to keep away from penal motion.The suspension relies on a preliminary inquiry, whilst the primary inquiry is but to be concluded.

Primarily based on this incident and some earlier ones, the Chennai Division introduced {that a} security drive could be held until July 24 for all loco and assistant loco drivers.

A senior loco pilot stated all of the loco pilots have been being punished for the errors of some crew members. He stated that although they welcomed the protection procedures, the loco pilots have been beneath extreme work strain on account of numerous vacancies, which remained unfilled for a number of years. The work strain includes operating the mail and categorical trains on time, because the loco workers would in any other case be penalised within the title of punctuality.

One other loco pilot stated amenities corresponding to operating rooms had been modernised and that they didn’t have any grievances on that entrance. Nevertheless, insufficient relaxation and poor sanctioning of leaves have been detrimental to the morale of the LPs and ALPs. Although they have been supplied with extra depart reserves and relaxation in comparison with different railway workers, the provisions have been solely on paper and never in precise observe, sources stated.

Vacant posts

The Centre of Indian Commerce Unions had stated in a memorandum that round three lakh posts have been mendacity vacant within the Railways, which had elevated the workload for current workers. As a substitute of filling up the posts, Railways had determined to give up varied posts in several departments.

Within the Loco Working Class itself, round one third of the posts, which is round 39,000, are vacant. In consequence, the prevailing loco operating workers are compelled to work 14 hours a day at a stretch.

Moreover, there are a big variety of vacancies within the Chief Loco Inspector (CLI) posts. CLIs are beneath strain to drive the loco operating workers to work lengthy hours, and are subjected to punitive measures in the event that they fail to take action.