THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As Kerala gears up for Onam, major trains passing through the state are expected to see a surge in passengers. However, loco pilots – the people working behind the scenes, ensuring that the trains run safely and on time continue to grapple with a basic problem: the absence of toilets in locomotive cabins.
Although the Railways claims to have fitted toilets in some locomotives, multiple sources and loco pilots told TNIE that no such trains are currently operating in Kerala. So, as passengers prepare for festive journeys, loco pilots often have to drive for long hours, holding back nature's call. Many admit to using bottles or adult diapers. Women pilots are especially vulnerable to urinary infections and kidney-related issues. However, the fear of compulsory retirement, that one of their colleagues went through earlier this year, keeps them going.
“If I stop a train for a toilet break, it gets recorded. Who would want such entries against their name? About two years ago, a woman pilot in Kerala even collapsed at a station due to urinary infection. This is our reality,” said a woman loco pilot.
A male loco pilot echoed the frustration: “It is an open secret that we use bottles. The authorities know it, but don't care. Imagine having to run a train while holding back nature's call. It's hard to stay focused, and this puts passengers at risk.”
To a January 29 RTI query by TNIE on whether there was any health-related data of loco pilots working without toilet breaks, the Southern Railway replied: “no such data/information is available in this office.”
As per the information accessed by TNIE, the Thiruvananthapuram Division of the Southern Railway has 664 loco pilots, including 24 women, though 130 posts remain vacant. The Palakkad Division, has 636 loco pilots – 25 of them women – and 104 vacancies. Though hailed as the pride of Indian Railways, the loco pilots face additional strain during festival seasons, when the introduction of special trains significantly increases their workload.
The anxiety among loco pilots in Kerala deepened when a goods train pilot based in Kollam was handed compulsory retirement earlier this year. His fault: asking for relief after working eight hours and 40 minutes without a break. The pilot, who was reportedly forced to drive past his depot, had been instructed to continue another 147 km to Ernakulam. When he demanded relief citing safety and health concerns, the Railway Administration launched what the pilots describe as a “farce enquiry” and issued a penalty of compulsory retirement from February 2. The matter is now before the Central Administrative Tribunal.
“The incident sparked fear among us,” said a loco pilot. The pilot said it is known that installing toilets in all locomotives will take time. “Why can't they start with a few trains? Instead, they punish those who raise their voice."
Veteran loco pilots voiced their dismay. “I believed the new generation would have a better work environment, but nothing has changed. They still depend on bottles or diapers, and with Onam, the pressure will only get worse. In our days, we often avoided eating much food to manage,” said Elangovan, a retired loco pilot with over 30 years of service.
M M Roly, retired loco pilot and vice-president of the All India Loco Running Staff Association, urged the Indian Railways to act swiftly. “It is the Railways' responsibility to ensure a humane work environment. Toilets in cabins are not a luxury but a necessity,” Roly said.
As lakhs of passengers prepare for festive journeys, loco pilots in Kerala hope their long-standing demand for basic dignity at work will be heard.
TNIE raised the pilots' concerns with the Southern Railway's chief public relations officer (CPRO) on August 25 via email and WhatsApp, but there was no response even after multiple attempts. TNIE also sought to know when at least 10% of trains passing through Kerala would have toilets in loco cabs. Again, no reply.
Number of trains originating from major stations under Thiruvanthapuam and Palakkad railway divisions
Kanyakumari: 8 daily, 9 weekly
Nagercoil: 12 daily, 5 weekly
T'Puram/T'Puram North: 19 daily, 31 weekly
Kollam: 10 daily, 5 weekly
Kayamkulam: 2 daily
Alappuzha: 6 daily
Kottayam: 3 daily
Ernakulam: 22 daily, 18 weekly (Another 20-25 goods train orders are booked daily from Ernakulam depot)
Thrissur: 3 daily
Guruvayur: 6 daily
Palakkad: 7 daily
Shoranur: 12 daily
Nilambur: 9 daily
Kozhikode: 2 daily
Kannur: 9 daily
Kasaragod: 1 daily
Mangalapuram: 17 daily/8 weekly