Loco Pilot Night Duty: SHRC Cautions Railways

By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has cautioned the Railways against assigning loco pilots on duty for more than three continuous nights. In an order, the commission warned that if accidents occur from the side of the loco pilots,due to loco pilots operating in tight schedule, Railways cannot wash its hands of the issue.
The order came following a complaint filed by National Federation of Indian Railwaymen and Southern Railway Employees’ Sangh divisional secretary B Subhash Bhasi. The complaint spoke of instances where loco pilots and running staff were assigned duty time for up to six continuous nights. On some days, they had to do work during daytime also. The complaint also mentions of punishment taken against a loco pilot in Kollam, who refused to come for duty again after doing work for four continuous nights.
In the KSHRC order, Commission chairman Justice J B Koshy said that in a report by a high power Committee assigned to rerrange work schedule of the running staff, it was stated that the employees should not be put on duty for more than two continuous nights. The Railway Board circular had also said that running staff should not be assigned duty for more than six hours during night.
The Railway GM in Chennai and Divisional Railway Manager in T’Puram have been asked to submit a detailed report within October 20 regarding the time schedule of loco pilots and other security officers in train. The case will be considered on Oct 31 in T’Puram.