A report by Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent member
It is shameful that even in 21st century, Indian Railway (IR) workers have to fight for getting basic facilities like drinking water and toilet in their place of work.
For many years of thousands of train loco pilots of IR have been demanding the provision of a toilet of locomotives. Finally, the IR authorities have agreed to construct toilets in the engines at the earliest.
The loco pilots have been expressing discomfort and even safety concerns in performing duty without the provision of a toilet for them. Express trains do not stop long enough at stations for the loco pilots to alight and use the toilets in the next coach. The problem is much more severe for the 1000 women loco pilots of IR.
Shri MN Prasad, general secretary of the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) said that, the fight to build toilets in locomotives is a long one. He said its importance increases with the work of more and more women. It is excruciating for all loco pilots, but more troubling for women.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on 25 April 2016, ordered the Railway Board to install toilets and air conditioners in all locomotives, to which the board had agreed. Yet, after doing nothing for so many years, the railway officials felt it necessary to carry out a survey among 10,000 loco pilots who unanimously demanded the toilet facility!
