Railway federation flags safety risks over 6-month off-duty loco pilots driving trains sans training

Business To Business, New Delhi, 22^nd June, 2026:  The All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) has expressed serious concerns over a recent amendment issued by Northern Railway that allows loco pilots who have not performed driving duties for six months to resume operating trains without undergoing a formal refresher course.
Under the amended provision, Northern Railway has authorized Chief Loco Inspectors (CLIs) to issue competency certificates to such loco pilots, enabling them to return to train operations without attending the refresher training that was previously considered necessary.
In a letter to the chairman and chief executive officer of the Railway Board, AIRF General Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra argued that the change could have implications for operational safety.
Mishra stated that the amendment does not provide for a comprehensive refresher programme for running staff who have remained away from train or locomotive operations for six months or more.
According to the federation, such refresher training is important because railway operations involve strict adherence to evolving safety procedures, signalling systems, operational rules, and emergency protocols. AIRF contends that allowing drivers to resume duties solely on the basis of a competency certificate may increase the risk of operational errors.
The federation has urged the Railway Board to review the amendment and ensure that adequate training requirements remain in place before loco pilots who have had extended periods away from driving duties are allowed to operate trains again.
The issue highlights the continuing emphasis on safety within Indian Railways, where employee training and periodic competency assessments are considered critical components of accident prevention and safe train operations.