Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee correspondent based on news received from AILRSA
On September 30, loco pilots of Central Railway, led by the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA), organized a “Halla Bol” protest in front of several station lobbies across Central Railway. In a statement issued by them, they stated:
1. Loco running staff have been burdened with carrying tail lamps.
2. They are being forced to carry explosive detonators, travel with them among train passengers, and rest with them in rest rooms. This can endanger the lives of train passengers and the employees themselves, despite the Railway Act 1989 declaring this a crime.
3. Loco running staff have also been given the responsibility of carrying the FSD, a device to be installed in a loco.
4. All of this is against our service conditions and disrupts our concentration on our core work: loco operation and train movement.
On 23.09.2026, a letter was issued by the Railway Board stating that the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot would be responsible for carrying tail lamps in trains running without a train manager. In protest, the running staff stated that their primary responsibility is the safe operation of trains, and imposing an additional non-core duty on them would increase their workload and distract them, which is against the principle of safety. Therefore, they are not accepting the additional physical burden of carrying safety equipment and luggage.
AILRSA office bearers also clarified that they have no objection to the use of FSD (Fog Safe Device), detonators and other safety equipment. The protest is about carrying these equipment from the lobby to the engine and lifting their weight, so they are demanding that the equipment be made available in the engine.
They also clarified that the running staff is already stressed due to vacancies, inadequate rest, inhumane workloads, and unpredictable duty hours. Therefore, it is not appropriate to impose additional physical burdens on them.
They further said that the agitation will be intensified if a decision on the demands is not taken soon.
According to press reports, other railway workers’ organizations, including CRMS, NRMU, and RKS, have also supported this agitation.
Protests have been announced at all DRM offices of Central Railway on October 8.
This anger is growing in Central Railway as well as other railway zones.
This agitation by the already stressed loco pilots is justified, and all railway employees and passengers should support them.
Panvel lobby
Kalyan lobby
Mail lobby CSMT
Nagpur lobby