IMPROVING SERVING CONDITIONS OF
RUNNING STAFF FOR A BETTER RAIL SAFETY
The Ministry of
Railways has directed Zonal Railways to upgrade all running rooms
over their systems in a phased manner to improve service conditions
of loco pilots (drivers), guards and other frontline staff.
This is intended
to provide right ambience for the running staff to have rest at
outstations, which is important for safe train operations. The
upgradation of the running rooms relate to standard list of facilities
circulated to all Zonal Railways. These include proper ventilation,
desert coolers, reading lights for individual beds, clean toilets,
phones and other amenities germane to the comfort level of the
running staff.
Besides, Hours of
Employment Regulation (HOER) provisions are followed to provide
proper rest to loco pilots before they are to go on train duty.
Also, hundred per
cent checking is being done by making the loco pilots undergo
breathlyzer test at the time of signing on. The Zonal Railways
have been asked to undertake surprise checks on the run.
Indian Railways have
installed four simulators for training of loco pilots (drivers).
Training of loco pilots on simulators facilitie monitoring of
their response and reaction time, which can be relayed to them
for guidance and improvement. Twelve more simulators are under
procurement.
