Loco pilots are key members of indian railway family. Many steps have been taken to improve their working conditions. In last ten years all running rooms have been upgraded to air conditioned and are well furnished. Before 2014, not a single running room was air conditioned.
Further more than half the loco cabs have been upgraded with ergonomic seats, air conditioning and other improvements. Before 2014, not a single loco cab was air conditioned.
Toilets are being fitted in all new locos manufactured. This was not even part of the production plan before 2014. Older locomotives are being retrofitted with toilets. Design modifications are being done in older locomotives for this purpose.
New running rooms are being added on the routes with heavy congestion. These steps have already brought down the working hours significantly. New safety features like fog safety devices, kavach, driver alert systems and better technology for braking systems are further improving safety.
Onboard facilities, better technologies, and better rest timings are improving the working conditions. Railway takes care for necessary requirements of all type of loco pilots. Goods Trains stop at many stations and yards for significant time.
Timing at these stations is sufficient for using toilets. Crew also use this time for light snacks. In Suburban Trains, loco pilots work on short distance trains and crew of these trains use toilets at terminal stations. Crew of passenger trains use toilet of train when train is standing at station and also use this time for snacks. All above steps are continuously being implemented.
