Life in the day of a suburban train loco pilot in Chennai

Even during odd hours, say at 3.30 a.m., the Moore Market complex railway station bustles with activity, registering the footfall of night shift workers and commuters waiting for the electrical multiple unit train bound for Arakkonam. Mr. Senthilkumar who started his service as an assistant shunting pilot in a temporary position in 1997 has served for 24 years by operating goods and loco trains. The DMH, which is a replacement for an assistant loco pilot, is a safety handle where in case of a loco driver facing any health conditions the train would come to an automatic stop. Mr. Senthilkumar said the loco drivers operate the EMUs in a challenging atmosphere where the safety of the commuters are foremost with the loco pilots allowed to take personal breaks of attending to mobile calls and other activities only on completion of the entire journey and they also undergo the trauma of persons getting hit by the trains. Mr. Senthilkumar said the Chennai division of Southern Railway has taken several welfare measures to support loco drivers, who have the responsibility of safely transporting thousands of commuters, including provision of a minimum of 16-hour rest period between two shifts.