By A very serious situation is happening in the Mumbai Division of Central Railway. Recently, 72 loco pilots who drive mail and express trains have together asked for voluntary retirement. This is a big deal because these pilots are very important for keeping trains running safely. They sent their applications to the Divisional Railway Manager and other high offices. They say they cannot continue doing their jobs because the working conditions are not safe or healthy anymore.
The pilots have shared many reasons for this big decision. One of the main problems is the food. They say the meals provided to them while they are on duty are very dirty and not good for their health. Since they have to be very alert to drive trains, eating bad food is dangerous for them and the passengers. They also mentioned that the places where they rest, called running rooms, are in very bad condition. These rooms are not clean and do not have the basic things they need to relax after long hours of work. If a pilot cannot rest well, they cannot drive the train safely.
Another major worry is the lack of safety in the areas where they work. The pilots say that the paths they have to walk on are often broken or missing. There is also not enough light in the yards and sheds where the trains are kept. This makes it very risky to walk around, especially at night or when it is raining. They feel that the railway administration is not listening to these physical safety concerns.
The pilots also spoke about the mental pressure they face. They feel that the senior officers put too much administrative pressure on them. This creates a lot of stress and makes the work environment very unhappy. Because of this constant stress and the irregular working hours, their health is getting worse. It is also hurting their family lives because they are always tired or worried about work. They feel that their job has become impossible to do in a professional way.
The National Railway Mazdoor Union is also supporting the pilots. They have warned the Central Railway leaders that this is a serious warning sign. They believe that if 72 pilots leave at once, it will be very hard to run the trains on time. The union is asking for a big investigation into these problems. They want the railway to fix the resting rooms and provide better food immediately. They also want the officers to talk to the staff and treat them with more respect.
This mass retirement request shows that there are deep problems in how the railway treats its most important workers. The pilots said they tried to complain many times before, but nothing changed. That is why they felt they had no other choice but to quit their jobs. Now, everyone is waiting to see if the Central Railway will fix these issues to keep the pilots and the passengers safe. If these problems are not solved soon, it could affect how people travel in Mumbai and across the country.
Seventy-two loco pilots from Central Railway’s Mumbai Division have applied for voluntary retirement, citing unsafe working conditions, poor food quality, inadequate rest facilities, and excessive administrative pressure. Supported by the National Railway Mazdoor Union, the pilots have demanded urgent improvements. The development raises concerns about operational stability and staff welfare within one of India’s busiest railway zones.
