Maharashtra: Driver stops passenger train midway as his duty hours end

The loco pilot said he won’t drive further unless he got written permission from senior authorities

CHANDRAPUR | Updated: 21 August, 2023 7:06 pm IST

Loco pilot of the Gondia-Ballarpur passenger train

CHANDRAPUR: A loco pilot stopped a passenger train midway as his duty hours ended, resulting in a high-voltage drama and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at a railway station in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur on the wee hours of Monday.

When Gondia-Ballarpur MEMU Special train made a halt at Mul railway station past 12 midnight but did not resume its journey even after an hour, many restless passengers got down and approached authorities at the railway station to find that the train driver had denied duty.

In videos recorded by angry passengers, the loco pilot can be seen asking the station master to give him written permission to work beyond his duty hours – which led to an altercation.

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As scores of passengers stormed the station master’s room demanding resumption of the journey, the official argued that he was not at fault as he had given the green signal at its scheduled time and that the blame rests with the loco pilot.

A mid-aged passenger said: “We are paying the fare, no? Drop us at our station. My mother-in-law is sick at home and I have to go and take care of her. The railways would be responsible if anything happens to her.”

“End the rail services if you are not able to handle them,” he yelled.

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Videos show passengers arguing with the loco pilot, who said the rules don’t allow him to proceed any further. “My duty hours are over. I can’t do anything. I am helpless. Please go and speak to the senior officials. I can only proceed if I get permission in writing from senior officials,” he can be heard saying.

“I am travelling with a child and there are many others like me. Where should we go if you don’t drive the train?” a woman asked, angrily.

It was only after more than one and half hour that the station master finally gave the loco pilot written permission and the train moved on to its destination Ballarpur.

Several media reports have claimed that the Indian Railway is grappling with staff shortage which hampers its day-to-day operations and risks passenger safety.