On Wednesday, hundreds of passengers aboard the Barauni-Lucknow Express (Train Number 15203) were left stranded at Burhwal railway station in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India, due to an unexpected shortage of loco pilots.
The train’s original loco pilot, having completed his duty hours, disembarked from the train, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated. The incident caused significant disruption to the train’s schedule and threw the North Eastern Railway (NER) officials into a frenzy as they grappled with the challenge of securing another loco pilot to continue the journey to Lucknow.
The situation was further exacerbated by the train’s delayed arrival at Burhwal station, which had already pushed the loco pilot’s duty hours beyond their limit. In an attempt to calm the agitated passengers and quell the growing unrest, NER released a statement acknowledging the disruption and explaining the circumstances surrounding the loco pilot’s departure.
They assured the passengers that arrangements were being made to bring in a replacement loco pilot as soon as possible. Meanwhile, a video surfaced online, featuring an official believed to be the station master, addressing the stranded passengers.
The official confirmed the loco pilot’s departure due to completed duty hours and assured them that another loco pilot was en route, and normal services would resume shortly.
Despite the official’s assurances, the passengers’ frustration continued to mount, particularly due to the railway’s apparent lack of preparedness in handling such situations. The delayed response from NER officials and the absence of standby loco pilots further fueled the passengers’ discontent.
After a delay of approximately two hours, a second loco pilot from the Amrapali train arrived at Burhwal station. With the change in crew, the train finally resumed its journey towards Lucknow, leaving behind a trail of inconvenience and disappointment for the stranded passengers.
This incident highlights the critical role of loco pilots in ensuring the smooth operation of train services and the need for robust contingency plans to address unforeseen circumstances. The shortage of loco pilots, coupled with the delayed response from railway authorities, underscores the importance of proactive measures and efficient resource management to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
