Aviation crisis mirrors issues faced by loco pilots in Railways: Union
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New Delhi: The crisis caused in the aviation sector by the disruption in IndiGo's operations closely mirrors the long-standing issues faced by loco pilots in Indian Railways due to a similar demand for a scientifically-designed working atmosphere for operational safety, a prominent loco pilot union said on Monday.
The All India Loco Running Staff Association, which represents a significant section of running crew, said that the IndiGo controversy is not just an aviation issue, it is a "warning" for all high-risk industries.
“Whether in the skies or on the rails, worker fatigue directly translates into dangers to passenger safety. Regulations based on modern sleep science are not mere 'union demands' to skip from duty. But, they are demands of safety standards," K C James, Secretary General, AILRSA, said in a statement.
“The present aviation crisis should become an eye-opener to railway management. The lives of millions of passengers depend more on the alertness of loco pilots than on airlines, because technical advancement in Railways is far inferior to airways,” he said. Amidst the aviation crisis, the union reiterated its demands like a maximum of two continuous night duties; rational duty hours aligned with human physiology and adequate rest after every duty, along with weekly rest. It also cited various rail accident investigations that have flagged the odd working hours of the crew.
