The All India Loco Running Staff Association's South Zone president, R Kumaresan, led a group of loco drivers who met with Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi to discuss the pressing issue of safety concerns faced by drivers and passengers in the Indian Railways. Loco pilots highlighted the long working hours, with some working up to 16 hours a day, lack of adequate weekly rest, and inadequate leave to attend to their domestic responsibilities as major issues affecting their job performance. The memorandum presented to Gandhi also pointed out that the inadequate weekly rest allotted to loco pilots has been a major cause for incidents of overshooting red signals. The association is calling for immediate action and resolution to these pressing problems to ensure the safety of all involved in the Indian Railways.
Railway Safety Concerns Raised in Meeting with Rahul Gandhi
On the heels of growing safety concerns within the Indian Railways, a delegation of locomotive drivers met with former Congress President Rahul Gandhi to discuss pressing issues affecting their job performance and the safety of passengers. The meeting was led by R Kumaresan, South Zone President of the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA).
Background
The AILRSA has been vocal in raising safety concerns within the Indian Railways, particularly those faced by locomotive drivers. The drivers' primary concerns center around long working hours, inadequate weekly rest, and insufficient leave.
Loco pilots have reported working up to 16 hours a day, with some working several consecutive shifts. This prolonged work period compromises their alertness and response time. Additionally, drivers are often not given sufficient weekly rest, making it difficult for them to recover physically and mentally. This has been linked to incidents of drivers overshooting red signals, posing a significant safety hazard.
Meeting with Rahul Gandhi
The delegation presented a memorandum to Rahul Gandhi outlining their concerns and calling for immediate action. The memorandum highlighted the long working hours, lack of adequate weekly rest, and inadequate leave as major issues affecting the job performance of loco pilots.
The AILRSA has called for the implementation of a 12-hour duty schedule with adequate weekly rest and leave time. The drivers also stressed the need for improved safety protocols and training programs to minimize risks.
Response from Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over the safety issues raised by the loco pilots and assured them that he would take up the matter with the concerned authorities. He acknowledged the importance of addressing these concerns to ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What are the main safety concerns raised by locomotive drivers?
2. What are the consequences of these safety concerns?
3. What actions is the AILRSA calling for?
4. What was the outcome of the meeting with Rahul Gandhi?
5. What are the historical safety issues that have affected the Indian Railways?
The Indian Railways is a vital part of the country's transportation network, and ensuring its safety is paramount. The concerns raised by locomotive drivers must be addressed promptly to prevent further safety hazards and protect the well-being of both railway personnel and passengers.
Manju, a 35-year-old postgraduate with zero cases and a background in agriculture, will be representing the BJP in the upcoming Assembly Elections in 2024 from the constituency of Garhi Sampla-Kiloi in Haryana. Finances reveal that Manju possesses assets worth Rs 1.1Crore, with Rs 20.2Lac in moveable assets and Rs 90Lac in immovable assets, and no liabilities. With Manju's impressive education and clean record, all eyes will be on her as she makes a bid for political leadership in her constituency.
The Indian auto industry is experiencing a surge in electric vehicle development as major brands like Tata Motors, Eicher Trucks, and Lohia Auto unveil their latest EV models at the prestigious Auto Expo 2025 in New Delhi. The event also saw record participation of 34 vehicles and a 12% rise in auto dispatches in 2024 as reported by SIAM. In line with the government's push for clean energy and sustainable transport, partnerships like that of Rapido and IndoFast for 10,000 electric three-wheelers and TIVOLT and Tata Power for EV charging infrastructure have also been announced. However, with CCPA conducting an investigation on Ola Electric for potential violations in service and e-vehicle sales, the growth of the sector is not without its challenges.
At the 2025 Auto Expo, MG Motor India revealed the latest addition to its SUV lineup - the Majestor. This revamped version of the existing Gloster model boasts of several design and feature upgrades, making it a more premium and luxurious option for customers. With advanced safety technology and enhanced interiors, the Majestor is set to be the top-of-the-line offering from the company.
MG has finally unveiled its highly anticipated SUV, the Majestor, at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Expo. The 3-row SUV boasts a bold design with a large, octagonal grille and striking LED headlamps. While the interior is yet to be revealed, it is expected to come equipped with premium features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and panoramic sunroof. Under the hood, the Majestor is likely to offer a powerful 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine.
The highly anticipated fourth-generation BMW X3 has finally been launched in India at the Auto Expo 2025, with prices starting at Rs 75.80 lakh for the base petrol variant and Rs 77.80 lakh for the base diesel variant (ex-showroom prices). Bookings are now open and deliveries are expected to begin in April 2025. The new X3 boasts a larger size, advanced technology, and a sleek design, making it a strong contender for rivals like the Mercedes GLC, Volvo XC60, and Audi Q5. With an attractive starting price and a range of luxurious features, the fourth-gen X3 is set to make waves in the Indian market.
The British-owned Chinese automaker MG has recently unveiled the Majestor, their new flagship SUV, at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025. The SUV boasts a premium and rugged design with hints of the Gloster model. It is expected to offer the latest technology and connectivity features, and will be powered by a 2.0-liter diesel engine with the option of single or twin turbo configurations. The Majestor is set to rival the popular Toyota Fortuner and is generating a lot of buzz in the automobile world.
The first day of India's most prestigious motor show, the Auto Expo 2025, saw major car manufacturers like BMW, Hyundai, Isuzu, and Kia introduce and showcase their latest electric models. BMW launched its first locally assembled electric vehicle, Hyundai revealed prices for its mass-market EV, Isuzu displayed an electric version of its pickup truck, and Kia debuted its facelifted EV6 with autonomous features and an impressive 650km range. The event is a reflection of the growing shift towards electric vehicles in the Indian market.
At a joint meeting of various authorities, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo revealed that the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Awantipora is expected to be completed and functional by November of this year. He emphasized on expediting the work after the winter season and ensuring adequate water supply to the hospital. The Executive Director of AIIMS, Dr Sachidananda Mohanty, provided an update on the progress and stated that with an expected completion of 61% of the blocks, the institute is on track to meet the November deadline. The Chief Secretary also assured his support for any pending issues that the AIIMS team may have.
The odds of XRP ETF approval in the US have increased to 70% on Polymarket, thanks to the token's surge in price and growing enthusiasm for cryptocurrency under the incoming Trump administration. The token's rise has brought it close to its all-time high of $3.84, set seven years ago. With the launch of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, investors and influencers are now speculating on the potential approval of an XRP ETF. Will the rally continue and will the ETF be approved? The odds seem to be in its favor.
A Messari analyst predicts that XRP will overtake Ethereum as the leading altcoin within the month following Trump's inauguration, citing the "Trump effect" and the potential launch of an XRP ETF. The analyst points to several metrics that suggest Ethereum is currently overvalued, including a historical peak in open interest and a significant drop from its all-time high. This news could have investors reconsidering their investment strategies as the competitive landscape in the cryptocurrency market shifts.