New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) A loco pilot of the Agra Rail Division has alleged a serious flaw in the breathalyser system used by the Railways to check crew for alcohol consumption before and after duty, after the device flagged him as having operated a Vande Bharat train in a “life-threatening” state of intoxication.
His breathalyser test, taken immediately after operating the Agra-Kanpur Vande Bharat, showed 550 mg/100 ml, which experts said is an extremely high and potentially life-threatening level of alcohol.
Though officials suspected a defect in the breathalyser machine, the loco pilot, Shyam Singh, protested against being temporarily taken off the roster for train operations, alleging harassment and social stigma, particularly because he is a teetotaller.
“We are looking into this case and will take a prompt decision,” a senior railway official said.
The incident occurred on August 25, when Singh operated the Vande Bharat from Agra Cantonment station to Kanpur. Immediately after signing off at 9.21 am, he underwent a breathalyser test at the loco pilot’s lobby.
“His BA test initially showed negative, and he went to the running room to rest. However, 45 minutes later, the Loco Inspector (LI) who conducted the test called him and informed him that his BA test was actually positive and that he must undergo a blood test to cross-check the findings,” an official privy to the case said.
The lobby staff said that the breathalyser machines are connected to the Crew Management System (CMS), which captures the result and records it in the system for senior officials to take further action.
“However, according to the LI who conducted the BA test, the CMS did not record the findings due to a technical fault. Despite this, he insisted that the BA result confirmed an alarmingly high level of alcohol in the loco pilot’s system,” the officer said.
He added, “The blood test confirmed that Singh had not consumed alcohol, but the concerned department is not revealing Singh’s blood report, apparently out of guilt and embarrassment. Singh was sent back to Agra and was not permitted to operate trains on the day of the incident. However, he was taken back on duty the very next day.” Meanwhile, Singh has written to his seniors seeking CCTV footage of the entire BA testing process, as well as a copy of the blood report and action against the LI for allegedly acting with mala fide intent to frame him in a false and frivolous case.
Senior loco pilots also said that the case appeared to be a form of vendetta against Singh, as a normal BA test produces results immediately.
In this case, they said, calling him 45 minutes later to inform him that the test was positive was suspicious and warranted an investigation.
“It is a serious issue. The matter should be thoroughly investigated. If a senior staff member has deliberately tried to frame a loco pilot, it not only amounts to playing with the career of a railway staff but also jeopardising railway safety. A loco pilot cannot be expected to remain mentally at ease while operating a train if he is aware that a senior staff member is trying to frame him in a false case,” a senior loco pilot said.
He added, “It was quite obvious that the reading of 550 mg/100 ml was erroneous, considering that Singh had driven the train safely and was present at the lobby for the test. A person with an alcohol level of 550 mg/100 ml would be expected to show severe signs of intoxication and may not even be able to stand or speak properly. The LI should have exercised greater caution and common sense before taking Singh off the roster and sending him back without allowing him to undertake train duty.” PTI JP NB NB
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