Railway Complaint Books Reveal Concerning Issues in Running Rooms

Bedbugs, mosquitoes, and other poor conditions in railway running rooms have raised safety concerns. Frequent complaints from loco pilots include issues with pests, unhygienic food, and non-functional ACs, prompting the Railway Board to direct prompt remedial actions across all zones. Despite periodic pest control, systemic issues persist.

Bedbugs and mosquitoes can spoil anyone's sleep, but they also pose a potential threat to safe train operations, according to numerous entries in railway running room complaint books. These rooms are where local pilots rest after completing outstation duties.

Responding to the abundance of complaints, the Railway Board has instructed all zones to address these issues immediately. Other common grievances include unhygienic food, dirty rooms, and malfunctioning air conditioning units.

In the Ajmer division of the North Western Railway zone, a loco pilot and his assistant noted in a complaint that bedbugs kept them awake all night, causing discomfort and possibly endangering train operations. Despite pest control efforts, similar problems have been reported in other divisions as well.

Railway officials state that rooms at major stations are well-maintained, but those at smaller stations often face neglect. Contractors responsible for upkeep are frequently warned or fined, though the impact appears minimal. The Railway Board has recently ordered a thorough review and improvement of the complaint redressal system in running rooms across all zones.

(With inputs from agencies.)