Letter received from Shri Pintu Roy (Central Assistant General Secretary, AILRSA)
As a part of an all-India agitation launched by All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) for the implementation of Hours of Work and Period of Rest Rules, 2005 (HOER) norms, loco running staff of Pune division demonstrated in Pune, Miraj, Daund and Ghorpadi lobby on 19 August 2025. This agitation is being carried out in spite of pressure tactics such as suspension and enquiry being used by the Indian Railway administration.
We reproduce below a letter written to the Prime Minister of India, around which a twitter campaign for the demand of 9-hour duty is being carried out. The letter, which has gone viral, is written by Shri Manish Mishra (Working President of AILRSA, Pune division) and shared with us by Shri Pintu Roy (Central Assistant General Secretary, AILRSA).
(Translation of Hindi letter)
Greetings,
Honorable Prime Minister and Honorable Railway Minister, all honorable ministers, MPs and MLAs, honorable administrative officers and my colleagues,
On behalf of all the running staff employees working as loco pilots and assistant loco pilots in Indian Railways, I want to draw your attention to a very serious and worrying issue.
Our responsibility is to safely transport passenger and goods trains to their destination. Passenger trains are given the highest priority for punctual and safe operation, which is also absolutely necessary. But due to passenger and goods trains running on the same track, it often becomes difficult to run goods trains on time.
Running staff comes under Continuous Category (loco pilot and assistant loco pilot). Their working hours are determined by the Regional Labour Commissioner (RLC) nominated by the Government of India. According to HOER (Hours of Work and Period of Rest Rules, 2005) and Railway Board letter RBE No.131/2005 –
- A maximum of 54 hours of work in a week is prescribed for running staff.
- Total 104 hours in 2 weeks (one period) and average 108 hours in 12 days, i.e., approximately 9 hours of duty per day.
- In addition, it is mandatory to provide 2 Periodical Rest (PR) of 30 hours in every 14 days.
But the reality is that when a loco pilot completes the prescribed 9 hours of duty and demands relief crew, then instead of relieving him, senior officers put pressure and force him to continue working further. If loco pilots refuse due to safety reasons, they have to endure severe harassment such as suspension, charge sheet, severe punishment, mental harassment and financial loss.
It is necessary to clarify that working more than the prescribed time not only affects the working capacity of the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot but can also pose a serious threat to the safety of passengers, goods and railway property. Past experiences of railway accidents are proof of the fact that operating a train in a state of fatigue can cause a major accident at any time.
At present, mental and administrative exploitation of running staff employees is being done continuously at various places, including Pune division. Many senior officers are behaving arbitrarily by ignoring the rules. This situation is not only fatal for the employees but is also very worrying for railway safety.
Therefore, we humbly request the Honorable Prime Minister, Honorable Railway Minister and all public representatives that –
- Strict compliance of rules related to working hours and rest of running staff employees should be ensured.
- Mental and administrative exploitation of employees should be immediately stopped.
- Strict action should be taken against the guilty officers and employees should be given justice.
- A concrete policy should be formulated to solve the problems of running staff, which is called the “backbone” of Indian Railways.
Otherwise, there is a fear that due to excessive mental pressure, employees may be forced to take harsh and unexpected steps.
We have full faith that under the spirit of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” the problems of loco pilots and assistant loco pilots will also be resolved positively.
Jai Hind.
@PMOIndia
@RailMinIndia
@LabourMinistry
