Indian Railways stops goods train pilots from operating premium passenger services
The Indian Railway Board has introduced strict new rules that prohibit goods train locomotive pilots from operating premium passenger services across the national network. These crucial updates aim to enhance passenger safety following recent operational incidents and policy reviews finalized on August 31, 2026.
The Indian Railway Board issued strict new directives prohibiting goods train locomotive pilots from operating Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, and Vande Bharat Express services.
These measures follow a specific Signal Passed at Danger incident that occurred on July 29, 2026, at Sitarampur station in the Eastern Railway zone.
Updated Standard Operating Procedures were issued on August 30, 2026, by Vikas Anand, Director of Electrical Engineering for the Railway Board, to all Zonal Railways General Managers.
Only locomotive pilots with the prescribed grade and significant experience are now mandated to handle premium train services.
New Safety Protocols and Crew Deployment Rules
Under the updated policy guidelines, if a regular passenger locomotive pilot is unavailable, authorities must reassign pilots from other passenger links rather than deploying goods train personnel. To manage emergency situations effectively, the board has authorized the creation of a separate panel consisting exclusively of A-grade goods locomotive pilots.
Each pilot assigned to this special panel must undergo mandatory safety screening. No goods locomotive pilot is permitted to enter a mail-express link without first passing this rigorous verification process. Furthermore, the directive emphasizes that all mail and express services, including diverted trains, should be exclusively operated by mail or passenger locomotive pilots to maintain the highest safety standards.
Addressing Staffing Shortages and System Reviews
The Railway Board has instructed all railway officials to conduct a comprehensive review of existing crew-booking systems. Authorities must also ensure that relevant crew lobbies receive advance notification of these stringent requirements.
Ram Sharan, Central President of the All India Loco Running Staff Association, noted that current staffing shortages often necessitate the temporary deployment of lower-grade pilots for higher-grade duties, a practice the new regulations aim to curtail. Reported by Chanchal Mukherjee, this policy shift marks a significant tightening of safety protocols across the entire Indian Railways network to protect passengers and streamline train operations.