Loco pilot strike throws train services out of gear

Kochi: Hundreds of passengers were caught off guard as train services through the state went haywire on Sunday noon after loco pilots in the Ernakulam region staged a flash strike protesting the advanced alcohol breath analyser tests they were subjected to.

Ernakulam area manager Dr Rajesh Chandran said it all started at 11 am when loco pilots K. Raju and Suresh Kumar were tested positive during an alcohol test done in ‘active’ mode and were suspended.

This triggered the protest which extended nearly the whole day. At least four passenger trains and two special trains were cancelled while other trains which have a crew change at Ernakulam ran hours behind schedule.

“This (alcohol test) is a standard practice across the country and we cannot risk the lives of commuters. There are two modes for testing —‘active’ and ‘passive’. Alcohol consumed even three hours before time of testing will also be detected. We are initiating action against all those who refused to sign on duty,” Rajesh Chandran said.

Initially, the Ernaku-lam-Kottayam passenger was cancelled with the loco pilots placed under suspension. Soon other loco pilots soon protested demanding that they be tested only under the ‘Passive’ mode, which officials refused. This resulted in train services going haywire.

“I boarded the Thir-uvananthapuram-bound Gorakpur Express at 1 pm but it did not leave even after 4 pm,” said Sreedevi Antharajanam.

“We are ready to undergo the test under passive mode. If anyone is tested positive here, we have no problem in undergoing the test under active mode too. However in active mode, one has to blow into a mouthpiece for over 10 seconds and the next one blows through the same straw which increases the risk of communicable diseases,” said M. Mony, national president, All India Loco-pilots Association. However, railway officers have denied this.