Amid IndiGo Crisis, Loco Pilots Demand 6-Hour Duty, 16-Hour Rest

• Loco pilots demand a 6-hour daily duty cap, 16 hours of rest after each shift, and a maximum of two consecutive night duties to address fatigue and unsafe working conditions.
• The All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) accuses the government of double standards, being tough on its own employees while flexible with private airlines on safety regulations.
• Demands for scientific duty-hour regulations date back to 1948, with expert panels also recommending changes, yet overworking remains routine, sometimes exceeding 12-hour limits significantly.
• AILRSA cites accident cases where loco pilots worked over 14 hours, and others up to 23 hours, highlighting how current practices compromise railway safety due to fatigue.

Why It Matters: Unsafe railway working hours threaten passenger safety and expose government hypocrisy.