Train accidents worries Indian Railways

Manpower shortages are causing many loco pilots to work long hours, beyond the 12 hours per day maximum, often without leave or rest; Railway Board urges immediate measures to fill vacancies.

According to sources in the railways, 48 consequential train accidents were reported in 2022-23 compared to 35 in the previous year. The number of non-consequential train accidents was 162 in 2022-23, which included 35 cases of Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD). The prolonged working hours of loco pilots due to an acute shortage of manpower was suspected to be the main reason for the increasing number of accidents, particularly SPAD cases, though there were other causes as well.

Unsafe conditions

The Railway Board took a serious view of this violation of rules and went on record saying that these long duty hours on a regular basis were a matter of grave concern as they grossly violated the rules and could lead to very unsafe conditions, the sources said.

Flagging the manpower shortage in the Southern Railway to its general manager last month, the All India Loco Running Staff Association said that 392 loco pilot posts in different categories were lying vacant in the zone.