Rahul Gandhi's recent interaction with loco-pilots at the New Delhi railway station has sparked controversy and discussions about railway safety and working conditions. This meeting follows the tragic Kanchenjunga Express train accident in West Bengal, which claimed numerous lives. Initially, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railway, Deepak Kumar, indicated that Gandhi interacted with crew members not belonging to the Delhi Division and highlighted the presence of cameramen capturing the event.
However, several loco pilot associations countered this statement, asserting that Gandhi engaged with pilots from various railway divisions, not just Delhi. R Kumaresan, President of the South Zone of the All India Loco Running Staff Association, affirmed this broader interaction.
Sharing a video clip of his discussions with the pilots on social media, Rahul Gandhi addressed issues raised during the interaction, particularly concerns about excessively long working hours without adequate breaks. He criticized the Modi government for neglecting the welfare of loco-pilots, alleging that they often work grueling 16-hour shifts in sweltering cabins without basic facilities like urinals. This, Gandhi argued, not only jeopardizes the pilots' health but also compromises passenger safety due to fatigue-related accidents.
Gandhi's remarks underscored a plea for improved working conditions and safety measures for railway workers, emphasizing the human cost of neglecting these concerns under current governmental policies.
