Guwahati, 5 July (HS): Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has always acknowledged that loco pilots play a vital role in ensuring safety, punctuality and smooth operation of train services. As the backbone of the railway transport system, loco pilots work under difficult conditions that require extreme alertness, physical fitness and mental health.
Northeast Frontier Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said on Saturday that acknowledging their contribution to rail safety and performance, NFR has taken a number of focused initiatives to strengthen the working environment of its running staff, especially loco pilots, and enhance operational readiness.
With an aim to modernize the facilities of the driver crew and create a more conducive environment for rest and recuperation, NFR has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art running room in Agartala. Fully aligned with Railway Board guidelines, the facility has 24 residential rooms (48 beds) and 10 community rooms which include yoga and meditation hall, gymnasium, kitchen and dining area. Notably, this is the first running room in NFR to be equipped with lift for better accessibility. All the 34 rooms are air-conditioned, with additional facilities like round the clock water supply, CCTV surveillance, adjustable lighting, emergency exits and pest control. The running room at New Coochbehar under Alipurduar Division has also achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, ensuring a clean, safe and comfortable environment for the driving crew members. A session was organised at New Coochbehar on 28th June last, which provided an open platform to the families of drivers to interact with the officials, thereby boosting their morale and contributing to better focus and efficiency while on duty.
NFR has taken several visionary initiatives to empower and give the benefit of modern equipment and technologies to its loco pilots. Emphasis has been laid on audio-visual road learning, which helps loco pilots get familiar with important routes through immersive digital modules, thereby enhancing route knowledge and operational safety. To further ensure comfort during long distance journeys, waterless urinals have been provided in engines for exclusive use of loco pilots. In the field of digital learning, introduction of ‘Gyanvapi’ mobile application has provided easy access to technical knowledge, circulars and operational guidelines to loco pilots. Additionally, NFR implemented Call Detail Record (CDR) analysis as a proactive measure to ensure alertness and attendance of loco pilots during train operations. As a significant digital leap, data loggers at 59 stations have been integrated with Control Office Application (COA), enabling real-time data availability for better monitoring of train operations and crew performance. These initiatives reflect NFR’s commitment to safety, improving working conditions and continuous learning for its frontline operational staff.
With these continued efforts, Northeast Frontier Railway reiterates its commitment to foster a professional, safe and conducive environment for its loco pilots. By blending technological advancements with humane workplace functions, NFR Railway maintains the highest standards in operations while prioritising the welfare of those who keep the system moving every day.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
