Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday addressed concerns regarding the working conditions of loco pilots, an issue raised by the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. He also said that those trying to “demoralise railway family with fake news will fail”.

Vaishnaw took to X to say, “Loco pilots are important members of the railway family. Since there is a lot of misinformation and theatrics by opposition to demotivate our Loco pilots, let me make things very clear.”

He then listed the facilities provided by the Indian Railways to make the working conditions of loco pilots better.

“Duty hours of loco pilots are carefully monitored. Rest is provided meticulously after trips. The avg. duty hours are maintained within prescribed hours. The avg. is less than 8 hours in the month of June this year. Only under exigencies, the trip duration exceeds the prescribed hours,” he said in his detailed post.

Explaining that pilots operate locomotives from loco cab, Vaishnaw said that before 2014, cabs were in very bad shape. “Since 2014, cabs have been improved with ergonomic seats, and more than 7,000 loco cabs are air conditioned. New locomotives are manufactured with AC cabs,” he added.

“When pilots complete a trip, they come to running room for rest if they are out of headquarters. Before 2014, running rooms were in very bad shape. Almost all (558) running rooms are now air conditioned.  In many running rooms, foot massagers are also provided. Incidentally, this was criticised by Congress without understanding the working conditions of loco pilots,” he further said.

Last week, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with loco pilots at the New Delhi railway station. This meeting followed the Kanchenjunga Express train accident in West Bengal that claimed the lives of at least 10 people.

“In the government of Narendra Modi, the lives of loco pilots have completely derailed. Loco pilots are forced to work 16-16 hours a day, sitting in cabins boiling with heat. Those on whom millions of lives depend no longer have any confidence in their own lives,” Gandhi said.

The Raebareli MP said that long working hours without necessary breaks cause immense stress and issues with concentration, which becomes the primary reason behind accidents.

“Deprived of even basic facilities like urinals, loco pilots have no limit on working hours, and they do not get any leave. Due to this, they are becoming physically and mentally exhausted and ill. In such circumstances, making loco pilots drive the train means putting their lives and those of the passengers at risk,” he stated.

The second-time Railway minister also informed that 34,000 running staff have been recruited in the last few years and recruitment for 18,000 running staff is currently in process.

“The attempt to demoralise railway family with fake news will fail. The entire rail parivar is united in serving our country,” he said.