Central Railway’s plan to run more 15 car locals after the Mumbra tragedy has hit a roadblock as motormen demand assistant loco pilots for safety. The union claims it has long raised the issue, citing growing pressure, complex terrain, and signal load. Infrastructure upgrades are underway, but the deadlock over staffing remains unresolved.
A crowded local train near Sion station. FILE PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Central Railway (CR) motormen have poured ice water on passengers fantasising about the introduction of more 15-car local trains. Following the June 9 Mumbra tragedy, where lives were lost after passengers fell out of two overcrowded trains, railway authorities have been looking for ways to ferry more and more passengers, and one such plan is the introduction of more 15-car trains, which have 33 per cent more capacity than their 12-car variants.
mid-day had highlighted the issue in its July 1 edition, how CR had started working to introduce more 15-car local trains. However, the decision has now led to conflict between the trade union and the CR administration.
“We have been hearing that the CR is planning to operate more 15-car trains. We will not operate a 15-car local train until Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) are assigned to work with us. There are a lot of issues and concerns, and we have sent multiple reminders to the authorities. The latest reminder was sent on July 18,” Praveen Bajpai, president of the Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh, told mid-day.
“Work has started on building infrastructure to run more 15-car trains. Tenders have been called for the extension of platforms 5 and 6 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and all other stations all the way till Kalyan, Karjat, Kasara and Khopoli. All this also involves the shifting of rail tracks and the extension of platforms. At CSMT, it also involves demolishing an abandoned signal cabin at the north end of the station. The 15-car trains will also require stabling lines, which at present the CR does not have in adequate number and hence is forced to park the ‘long’ local trains beyond Kalyan,” a senior official said.
When questioned about the demand for ALP or assistant drivers, railway officials said that on local trains, there was no difference in 12 and 15-car trains as far as the work of a motorman is considered. CR Mumbai has two 15-car trains and operates 22 services, while Western Railway’s Mumbai division has 14 and operates 211 services.
Union chief speaks his mind
In a brief exchange with mid-day, Praveen Bajpai, president of the Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh, explained his stand on the issue and fielded questions.
What is this sudden demand for assistant drivers for 15-car trains?
Mind you, it is not a sudden demand. Our first meeting with the administration was held on October 15, 2012, where the issue was discussed at length, and we were assured that 15-car motormen would get an assistant loco pilot. We have the minutes of the meeting.
Praveen Bajpai, president of the Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh
What is the need for assistant drivers for local trains?
The Mumbai local has evolved from having four cars to six, nine, 12, and, now, 15. The longer a train gets, the more the pressure, and it becomes difficult for one person to handle it. The task requires extreme concentration. There are so many signals that motormen have to negotiate. Some are placed on the left side, some on the right, some on the top. Furthermore, CR is a complex system. Local trains ferry a huge number of commuters. Hence, it becomes a safety issue.
But 15-car trains are already plying with a single motorman, and they are doing well.
Yes. We had agreed to this as it was, back then, a pilot project, and trains were operating experimentally. If the CR now wants to run more 15-car services, they will need to accept our demand to provide an additional driver for overall public safety.
But there are lots of 15-car trains operating on WR without dual motormen, and there is no demand there.
I cannot comment on other railways. For CR, the terrain is very difficult, and it is a complex network. Monitoring all signals requires concentration and one skip could lead to serious safety issues.
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