Indian Railways Undertakes Historic Reforms to Enhance Well-Being of Loco Pilots
Vadodara, April 21 – Over the past decade, Indian Railways has implemented several groundbreaking initiatives aimed at improving the safety, comfort, and work-life balance of its loco pilots. The Ministry of Railways has made structural and technological upgrades with a strong focus on the welfare and morale of its running staff.
Prior to 2014, most loco cabs and crew rest areas, known as running rooms, lacked air conditioning and basic comfort facilities. As per agency report, by 2024, all 558 running rooms across the country have been fully air-conditioned and upgraded with RO water systems, yoga and meditation rooms, reading lounges, subsidized meal services, and improved sleeping arrangements. Additionally, 7,075 loco cabs have been fitted with air conditioning and ergonomic seating, significantly reducing fatigue during operations.
To further improve working conditions, toilets have been introduced as a standard feature in new locomotives, and retrofitting is underway in older engines. As of now, 1,170 locomotives are equipped with onboard toilet facilities. New running rooms are being constructed on high-density routes to ensure more balanced duty hours for train drivers.
In terms of safety, Indian Railways has prioritized the deployment of advanced systems including ‘Kavach’ (Automatic Train Protection), fog safety devices, driver alert systems, vigilance control devices, and simulator-based training modules. Over 21,000 fog safety devices have been installed to ensure safe train operations even under poor weather conditions.
Post-COVID-19, Indian Railways successfully conducted two large-scale computer-based recruitment examinations involving over 23.7 million candidates, resulting in the appointment of 130,000 personnel, including 51,856 loco pilots. A new annual recruitment calendar has also been implemented, making the selection process faster and more transparent.
The average duty time of loco pilots has been streamlined to 52 hours over a 14-day period. Mental and emotional well-being is being addressed through counseling sessions and family-focused programs.
The Western Railway zone has set benchmarks by fully upgrading all its running rooms with air-conditioning, FSSAI-certified subsidized canteens, separate kitchens for vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, yoga and meditation halls, shoe polish stations, CCTV surveillance, exclusive rooms for female staff, and libraries for entertainment. Notably, the Bandra Terminus Running Room has received accolades for its outstanding management.
These initiatives underline Indian Railways’ commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and efficient working environment for its employees. By improving the quality of life for loco pilots and other railway personnel, the organization is not only enhancing staff welfare but also reinforcing the overall efficiency and reliability of the national railway system.
