Southern Railway asks Station Masters not to communicate with Loco Pilots unnecessarily over walkie-talkie

Southern Railway orders Station Masters not to engage Loco Pilots in unnecessary communication on walkie-talkie to avoid distraction. Warns of action against erring staff. Comes days after train accident in Andhra Pradesh. Investigation to be done by Commissioner of Railway Safety.

Southern Railway has directed Station Masters not to engage Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots of incoming/outgoing trains in unnecessary communication on walkie-talkie to avoid distracting them.

In an order, the Chief Operations Manager said it was noticed that Station Masters often communicated continuously with the crew on walkie-talkie even when the train was entering, and departing from stations, which may distract the crew.

“This sort of communication with the crew is certainly not conducive to safety in train operations. It is also seen that this practice has become habitual and the station staff tend to thoughtlessly pick up walkie-talkie sets to speak to the crews, unmindful of what the crew may be involved with,” he said.

Instructing Station Masters to refrain from interacting with the crew through wireless communication sets, the Chief Operations Manager said the use of walkie-talkie should be avoided unless it was necessary or when the purpose was to avoid accidents/unusual occurrences or only when the Loco Pilot/Guard (Train Manager) sought any information.

Station Masters were also warned that any deviation from the instructions would be viewed seriously and appropriate action would be taken against the erring staff members.

The advisory comes days after the train accident in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, in which a rear-end collision involving two passenger trains left 13 persons dead and 38 others injured.