AILRSA Stages Nationwide Protest in Delhi, Submits Memorandum Demanding Urgent Railway Reforms

New Delhi: Thousands of loco pilots from across India gathered at Jantar Mantar today under the banner of the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA), staging a powerful protest to demand long-overdue reforms in Indian Railways. The demonstration was inaugurated by CITU National Secretary and former MP Comrade Tapan Sen, with workers participating from every railway zone in the country.
Alongside the protest, AILRSA Secretary General K C James submitted a detailed memorandum to the Executive Director of the Railway Board, addressed to the Multi -Disciplinary Committee (MDC). The memorandum outlined critical concerns affecting loco running staff, including long duty hours, denial of statutory rest, inadequate recruitment, mental and physical fatigue, and declining operational safety. The union alleged that the MDC, formed in July 2024 following sustained protests, failed to consult workers or conduct any serious field -level study before producing its report. Despite earlier assurances by the Railway Minister and various court rulings, the report reportedly ignored the lived realities and key demands of loco pilots.
Among the primary issues raised in the memorandum was the severe staff shortage, with over 28,000 vacant loco pilot positions across the country. The last major Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) recruitment occurred in 2018, and despite more than 20,000 retirements over six years, no regular recruitment drive followed. While a recruitment notice (RRB 1/24) was finally issued in January 2024 for 5,696 posts, AILRSA pointed out discrepancies in vacancy calculations and successfully got the number revised to 18,799. The second round of computer-based testing was postponed due to a question paper leak, further delaying the process. Meanwhile, a fresh notification for 9,970 vacancies has now been issued for 2025, bringing the total number of pending vacancies to 28,769. AILRSA warned that as the gap widens, the workload and mental stress on existing staff continue to rise sharply, leading to rising cases of burnout, medical unfitness, suicides, and early deaths.
The memorandum also emphasised that loco pilots are often forced to work beyond 14 to 16 hours without adequate rest or meals, in violation of the 2005 Hours of Work and Period of Rest (HOER) rules and past agreements, including those after the historic 1973 strike. Despite court orders, including a Karnataka High Court ruling, the mandatory 16-hour headquarters rest and 30-hour weekly rest are routinely denied. The document noted the stark disparity between loco pilots and other railway categories, who receive between 40 to 64 hours of weekly rest.
AILRSA further objected to the redefinition of high -speed trains from 110 kmph to 130 kmph, a move they claim is aimed at eliminating co-pilot posts. The union asserted that this not only violates safety standards but also adds to the mental strain and operational risk for loco pilots. Increasing the speed of trains without improving infrastructure, signaling systems, or onboard facilities such as cab air conditioning and toilets further compromises both safety and staff welfare. The memorandum strongly opposed single-operator operations on EMU/MEMU services beyond 100 kilometers, arguing that safety protocols demand assistant loco pilots on longer routes.
Another major concern raised was the continuous assignment of night duties without limits. The memorandum called for restricting night duties to a maximum of two consecutive nights, citing international research, including studies by NASA and the Indian Railways’ own safety directorates, which warn of heightened accident risk due to fatigue and disrupted sleep cycles.
The union also criticised the mandatory, year-round use of Fog Safe Devices (FSD), calling them impractical in clear weather. Instead, it recommended integrating FSD features into the train’s onboard systems until newer technologies like KAVACH are fully implemented. AILRSA also expressed concern over the indiscriminate deployment of Crew Voice and Video Recording Systems (CVVRS), stating they act as intrusive surveillance tools and increase stress. The memorandum urged the Railway Board to revisit their use in line with the original safety-centric intent of the High-Power Committee.
On the psychological aptitude testing front, AILRSA demanded that such tests be limited to the recruitment phase and certain promotions, not used indiscriminately or punitively. For employees who fail these tests or are involved in SPAD (Signal Passed at Danger) incidents, the union recommended the implementation of support programs like the SALUTE scheme, aimed at rehabilitation rather than punishment.
The protest also highlighted administrative issues, such as denial of leave, delays in granting promotions, lack of training opportunities, and the failure to process inter-divisional and inter-railway transfer requests (IDT/IRT), with many workers waiting for years. Despite having sanctioned strength of over 1.37 lakh loco running staff, the railways continue to operate with acute shortages in some depots where vacancy rates have touched 40 to 45 percent.
AILRSA strongly criticised the Railway Board for ignoring the fundamental rights of loco pilots, including proper rest, food, healthcare, and safety. The memorandum warned that these conditions are leading to family distress, health complications, and even suicides among staff—an issue the Railway Board has failed to document or address adequately. The union asserted that unless urgent steps are taken to fill vacancies, reduce duty hours, implement statutory rest, and improve facilities, both employee welfare and passenger safety will be at risk.
Wednesday's protest, backed by growing support from Members of Parliament and trade unions, represents a decisive moment in the fight for dignity and justice for India’s loco pilots. AILRSA has made it clear that its struggle will continue until the Railway Board takes concrete, time-bound action to resolve the crisis facing one of the most critical workforces in the nation’s transport sector.