The Eastern Railway has upgraded its locomotive and assistant engine driver’s rest rooms with everything from foot massagers to meditation rooms, after recent major train accidents raised several questions about the mental and physical health of locomotive drivers.
Speaking to India Today TV, Kaushik Mitra, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Eastern Railway, said, “The comfort of our locomotives and locomotive assistants is of utmost importance to us. These steps have been taken to ensure that they feel relaxed amidst their hectic schedule. The crew lobby rooms are being upgraded and air-conditioned to provide hotel-like ambience to users. Dormitories in the crew lobby rooms will be eliminated and two beds will be installed in a room. There will be separate rooms for female and male railway staff.”
“Apart from that, we also have a dedicated meditation room. We have also appointed a yoga trainer for the locomotive drivers,” he said, adding that the locomotive drivers would also be trained on local precautions and railway maintenance. The briefings would be held during their breaks in the renovated crew lobby.
At present, Eastern Railway has 26 crew lobbies, most of which have facilities for both booking and waiting of crew members.
Besides the meditation room, the crew lobby will be fully air-conditioned and equipped with biometric check-in, RO water purifier and cooler, separate rooms for rest, food counter and separate rest room for female staff.Furthermore, the crew booking lobby and toilet complex will also have educational videos and simulation modules to enhance practical knowledge.
In Eastern Railway, such facility will be available at all major stations including Howrah, Bandel, Bardhaman, Azimganj, Rampurhat etc in Howrah district; Sealdah, Kolkata, Dum Dum Junction, Naihati, Ranaghat etc in Sealdah division; Asansol, Jasidi, Madhupur, Dumka etc in Asansol division; Malda Town, Bhagalpur, Jamalpur, Sahibganj in Malda division.
