Northeast Frontier Railway adopts measures to enhance well-being of loco pilots

DIMAPUR — The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has adopted a range of focused initiatives to strengthen the working environment and enhance operational readiness of its running staff, particularly loco pilots.

In a move aimed at modernising crew facilities and creating a more conducive environment for rest and recovery, NFR has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art running room at Agartala (AGTL).

In an update, the NFR stated that the facility included 24 residential rooms (48 beds) and 10 community rooms such as yoga and meditation hall, gymnasium, kitchen and dining areas fully aligned with railway board guidelines.

It mentioned that all 34 rooms are air-conditioned with additional amenities like round-the-clock water supply, CCTV surveillance, adjustable lighting, emergency exits and pest control.

It stated that the running rooms at New Coochbehar under Alipurduar division have also achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, ensuring a hygienic, secure and restful environment for crew members.

Also read: Northeast Frontier Railway holds steady growth in freight unloading

To further support staff well-being, NFR has introduced family counselling sessions to address personal and professional stress. One such session was held at New Coochbehar on June 28 by offering an open platform for families to interact with officials, thereby boosting morale and contributing to improved focus and efficiency on duty.

It added that NFR has undertaken several forward-looking initiatives to support and empower its loco pilots with modern tools and technologies. It stated that emphasis has been laid on audio-visual road learning, enabling loco pilots to familiarise themselves with critical route features through immersive digital modules, thereby enhancing route knowledge and operational safety.

To further ensure comfort during long hauls, waterless urinals have been provided in locomotives for the exclusive use of loco pilots.

In the domain of digital learning, it stated that the introduction of the ‘Gyaanvaapi’ mobile application has provided loco pilots with easy access to technical knowledge, circulars and operational guidelines on the go.

Additionally, NFR has implemented call detail record (CDR) analysis as a proactive measure to ensure the alertness and presence of loco pilots during train operations that aids in post-incident verification and enhances safety, enabling accurate monitoring of crew movement and communication, strengthening accountability and operational oversight.

As a significant digital leap, data loggers have been integrated with the control office application (COA) at 59 stations, enabling real-time data availability for better monitoring of train operations and crew performance.

It mentioned that the initiatives reflected NFR’s commitment to improving safety, working conditions and continuous learning for its frontline operational staff. It added that by blending technological advancements with humane workplace practices, NFR continues to uphold the highest standards in railway operations while prioritising the well-being of those who drive the system forward every day.