Southern Railway announces safety drive for loco pilots
Southern Railway has launched a 15-day safety drive for loco pilots following recent signal-jumping incidents. Staff have expressed concerns that the initiative ignores underlying issues like severe work pressure, staff shortages, and inadequate rest.
Why it matters
It highlights the tension between operational safety protocols and the systemic labor challenges faced by essential transport workers.
The Chennai Division of Southern Railway has announced a 15-day safety drive to be strictly followed by loco pilots (LPs) and assistant loco pilots (ALPs) to avert Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) incidents, which occurs when a train moves past a red signal without proper authorisation.
This safety drive comes in the wake of the suspension of the loco pilots and assistant loco pilots of the Yelagiri Express for signal jumping on July 6.
The Yelagiri Express, which departed from Dr. MGR Central Railway Station, halted at Avadi after loco pilot P.S. Rao complained of health issues. However, an inquiry revealed that he had jumped a red signal near Vyasarpadi Railway Station, and had resorted to health issues to avoid penal action.The suspension is based on a preliminary inquiry, even as the main inquiry is yet to be concluded.
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