Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
Every year during the summer season, the working environment for the loco pilots of the Indian Railways becomes intolerable as the temperature inside engine cabins exceeds 50 degrees Celsius. Loco pilots have for years been agitating for installation of air-conditioning systems in loco cabins but the Railway administration has shown little concern for their demand.
According to Shri KC James, General Secretary of All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA), there are a total of 10,500 electrical engines and 4500 diesel engines in the Indian Railways, totalling 15,000 engines. Of these, less than 700 are fitted with AC and out of that less than 50 per cent of those ACs are operational.
Due to the lack of staff to carry out proper maintenance and the stepmotherly policy of the authorities, the ACs in the engine cabins have become non-functional. If they were installed in 700 as a result of years of agitation, how many more years will it take the same authorities to install them in 14300 engines?
Loco pilots have repeatedly pointed out that the highest ambient temperatures in India during the summer seasons such as April, May and June are in the states like Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar etc.
As per Shri Ram Sharan, Central President of AILRSA the temperature in Rajasthan has already reached over 50°C. Last year’s temperature was between 40° to 55°C and every year, it is increasing.
Loco pilots have repeatedly been pointing out to the authorities that the temperatures in train engines are 5°C higher than these ambient temperatures. Yet, not a single thermometer has been installed in the engine cabin to detect this ambient temperature.
AILRSA has requested the Railways to instruct the officials concerned and the loco shed supervisors to travel in engines in summer season, especially for 12- 16 hours and that too in WAG 9 (without AC) locos so that the plight of loco pilots could be understood.
The AILRSA has demanded that failure of AC in the loco cabin be treated as a loco failure, because it is difficult for loco pilots to concentrate working at 40-50°C to ensure safety of the running train.