Indian Railways’ female train drivers have raised concerns about the “embarrassing and unsafe” practice of using walkie-talkies to request a washroom break while on duty.
According to a female loco pilot, the process involves informing the male loco pilot, who then communicates with the station master and control department. However, this conversation happens over walkie-talkies, accessible to numerous officials, spreading the message across the station that a female driver needs to use the restroom.
“All these conversations happen through walkie-talkies accessible to dozens of other officials in the range. The message spreads everywhere at the station that a woman driver is in the engine and she wants to go to the loo,” she said.
Issue affects over 1700 female train drivers
This informal practice, which the female drivers argue compromises their safety and privacy, affects over 1700 female train drivers, with 90% serving as assistant loco pilots alongside male counterparts.
One female loco pilot recounted an incident during a freight train duty when she had to step out at a station for a restroom break. She felt uncomfortable as officers, aware of her need through walkie-talkie messages, stared at her.
“I went through the ordeal once when I was on duty with a male driver on a freight train. In a passenger train, one can go to the washroom in one of the coaches but in case of a freight train, you have to step out at the station area,” she said.
The female drivers also highlighted safety concerns, especially at smaller stations where restrooms are in deserted areas, making it risky for them to step out of the engines.
Female drivers avoid drinking water to avoid restroom breaks
Ashok Sharma from the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) pointed out that many female drivers avoid drinking water to avoid restroom breaks, leading to dehydration and health issues.
“In the past couple of years, hundreds of new girls have come into the profession of train driving and since they were unaware of these challenges, they are under stress,” Sharma said.
“Many of them avoid drinking water before the start of their duties and even during duty hours, they refrain from consuming any liquid food items. This causes dehydration and leads to several other lifestyle diseases among them. Their condition is extremely miserable,” he added.
Incidents of fainting or feeling unwell on rise due to high temperatures
Several female drivers shared incidents of fainting or feeling unwell due to working under extreme temperatures without water.
They revealed that they are often denied immediate restroom breaks due to important trains behind them, with some loco pilots suggesting they relieve themselves along the track behind stationary wagons.
“We feel lucky if we are allowed to go to the washroom on first request as we are often told to hold it till the next few stations because of important trains coming from behind. In fact, to save time, loco pilots often ask us to relieve ourselves along the track behind some other stationary wagons,” a female loco pilot from the Jhansi Division said.
No defined norms for restroom breaks during duty
Sanjay Pandhi, working president of the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO), noted that Indian Railways lacks defined norms for restroom breaks during duty.
“Indian Railways has never defined any norm for its running staff to take a break for lunch or go to the washroom while driving trains,” Pandhi said.
After years of efforts by the IRLRO, the Ministry of Labour recently formed a committee to establish defined time intervals for food and restroom breaks for Loco Running Staff.
“I hope some modalities will be worked out in the interest of all running staff of the Indian Railways,” Pandhi said.
Pandhi expressed hope that the committee would address the concerns of all running staff.
The demand for better conditions intensified in April after a female guard was attacked near Madurai Railway Station.