72 Loco Pilot (Mail) staff from Central Railway’s Mumbai Division have jointly applied for voluntary retirement, citing long-standing systemic issues that they say have made continued service “professionally unsustainable.”
The applications, received on Tuesday by the Divisional Railway Manager, the General Manager’s Office, and the Senior DEE (TRO), outline serious concerns over safety, poor facilities, and administrative pressure.
Critical concerns highlighted by loco pilots
Substandard food facilities: Meals provided during duty hours and at running rooms are reportedly unhygienic and unfit for consumption, posing health risks for safety-sensitive duties.
Poor rest facilities: Running rooms and rest areas lack cleanliness, proper maintenance, and essential amenities, preventing adequate recovery after long, strenuous shifts.
Unsafe infrastructure: Missing pathways, poor lighting, and unsafe access to lobbies, trip sheds, and running rooms create significant safety hazards, particularly at night and during adverse weather.
Administrative pressure: Staff report undue administrative interference, harassment, and a stressful work environment affecting mental health and operational efficiency.
Health and family impact: Continuous stress, irregular duties, and poor facilities have reportedly deteriorated the physical and mental well-being of staff, straining family life.
The joint application stresses that the decision was taken after repeated representations to authorities went unaddressed.
The applicants have requested that their VRS applications be approved promptly and have assured full cooperation during the notice period, including a smooth handover of duties.
The move has drawn attention to long-standing welfare and safety issues within the Mumbai Division, raising concerns about staff retention and operational safety in Central Railway operations.
