Hyderabad: At a time when railway safety is under serious scrutiny in India, dozens of loco pilots in the South Central Railway (SCR) zone have been found reporting to duty under the influence of alcohol. According to data obtained through an RTI filed by TOI, 102 loco pilots were caught drunk during pre-duty tests in the last five years, with 22 of them caught in 2025 alone. In 2024, the number stood at 17.However, only in one case was a loco pilot — from Guntur division — suspended for the offence.Data showed that the blood alcohol content among those caught hovered in the 20 mg/100 ml to 40 mg/100 ml range. All were identified during mandatory breathalyser tests conducted before they could board trains.While SCR comprises six divisions, close to 60% of these cases in 2025 were reported from the Guntakal (7) and Nanded (6) divisions — among the smallest in the zone.Railway passenger associations expressed alarm over the findings. “Loco pilots are responsible for trains carrying thousands of passengers and large cargo in freight. Railway operations depend heavily on strict adherence to safety protocols. Any lapse at the pilot level poses a direct risk to passenger safety and can lead to operational issues such as signal overshooting or violation of sectional speed limits,” said P Bharadwaj, member of the Long Distance and MMTS Travellers Association.Responding to the concerns, railway officials said strict safety checks were in place to ensure such loco pilots do not take charge of trains. They maintained that crew members undergo breathalyser tests each time they sign in and sign off from duty. In addition, ambush checks are conducted en route to ensure safe operations, officials added.Regular inspections“We conduct regular counselling sessions with the help of nominated inspectors to sensitise loco pilots and assistant loco pilots against consuming alcohol while on duty, including through periodic safety seminars. In addition, they are closely monitored during operations through foot-plating inspections and surprise (ambush) checks to ensure strict compliance with safety norms,” said a senior official in the electrical engineering wing, SCR.With regard to punishment, officials said staff found with a blood alcohol level of 01 to 20 mg per 100 ml are barred from duty for that day. If the alcohol level exceeds 20 mg/100 ml, penalties are imposed depending on the blood alcohol concentration, with action decided on a case-by-case basis. If an employee is caught under the influence three times, irrespective of the alcohol level detected, formal disciplinary proceedings are initiated against them.
