by S. Prakash ALP, Trichy Division of Southern Railway and executive member of All India Loco Running Staff Association (ALRSA)/Trichy
Although Assistant Loco Pilots are recruited under the rigorous A1 medical category, a growing body of evidence reveals that the profession’s long-term health consequences are both severe and under-addressed.
A 2025 study by Swami Vivekananda University found that loco pilots operate in high-stress, low-control environments that disrupt circadian rhythms and lead to chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, and depressive symptoms.
A 2023 cross-sectional study in the International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research reported that over 36% of loco pilots suffer from hypertension, with stress levels significantly higher than those of other railway staff, due to long hours, high responsibility, and lack of rest.
The Financial Express and New Indian Express have documented how loco pilots—especially women—are forced to work 9 to 16 hours without access to toilets, resulting in urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and chronic dehydration. Many resort to wearing adult diapers, and several women have reported pelvic infections, fibroids, and even miscarriages due to the lack of sanitation and rest facilities. Prolonged sitting in cramped, poorly ventilated cabins—often exceeding 40°C—combined with constant vibration and inadequate ergonomic support, contributes to musculoskeletal disorders, spinal issues, and the development of piles (hemorrhoids).
A 2025 study in the International Journal of Clinical Biology and Biochemistry emphasized that loco pilots are particularly vulnerable to multiple stress-related disorders due to exposure to noise, vibration, magnetic radiation, and unpredictable work conditions. Noise levels inside diesel-electric locomotive cabs can reach up to 85 dB(A), leading to long-term hearing loss, cognitive fatigue, and increased accident risk. The Railways Act of 1989 caps running duty at 9 hours, yet many pilots report working 12–14 hour shifts, violating legal limits and exacerbating physical and mental strain. The psychological burden of operating high-speed trains with thousands of lives at stake, combined with isolation and a lack of social interaction, has been linked to depression, memory loss, and cardiovascular complications.
Despite National Human Rights Commission directives in 2016 to install toilets and air conditioning in engines, implementation remains minimal, with fewer than 200 locomotives upgraded nationwide. These findings—drawn from peer-reviewed journals, investigative reports, and direct testimonies—make it clear that Indian Railways must urgently transition from a one-time medical screening model to a comprehensive, ongoing health and safety framework. This should include regular medical checkups, ergonomic reforms, mental health counselling, gender-sensitive sanitation infrastructure, and humane, legally compliant duty rosters that reflect the lived realities of loco pilots.