more-in MADURAI Members of Southern Railway Mazdoor Union Loco Running Staff Wing staged a demonstration here on Friday, protesting against the railways’ proposal to re-engage retired loco pilots for operating trains. The protest was led by divisional secretary of the union S. Muruganantham. Addressing the protesters, additional divisional secretary of the union V. Ramkumar said the proposal would amount to compromising safety of passengers. The job warranted concentration on the track and signals for every moment. Given the huge responsibility and accountability in safe running of trains, many loco pilots had sought voluntary retirement or had been rendered medically unfit due to age-related ailments. “An express train has to cross a distance of 69 km between Chennai Central and Arakkonam within 55 minutes. To cross 130 signals in 55 minutes means that the loco pilot has to have high concentration to look at and act swiftly at every signal. Employing people above 60 years of age is only going to complicate the safety aspect of running trains,” Mr. Ramkumar said. Stating that a lot of educated youth were unemployed in the country, he said the railways, instead of re-engaging retired loco pilots, could recruit youngsters. Besides, fixing accountability on retired loco pilots on safety issues would also be not possible. Divisional president of Loco Running Staff Wing A.M.M. Ravi Shankar was present.

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