Ill motorman stops EMU, averts major accident

A disaster was averted, thanks to the alertness of motorman D Jayaraj, who called it quits as soon as the train reached Perambur Carriage Works. Railway sources revealed to DT Next that Jayaraj felt some discomfort at the previous station (Perambur) around 7.25am when the peak traffic starts in the city. 

“Moments after starting from Perambur station, he realised that he was in no condition to pilot the train further. So, he secured the train as soon as it halted in Carriage Works and alerted the station master,” said a source requesting anonymity. The motorman was rushed to the Perambur Railway Hospital, where he is under observation. “Had he piloted beyond Carriage Works, it would have turned critical both for the passengers and motorman,” remarked another Loco pilot. 

Loco pilots have been complaining of exposure to harsh climates during summer and winter for a while now. 

“The wind shields of EMUs are so wide, it draws a lot of heat. Also, the design does not provide for flow of air into the cabin despite keeping the cabin doors open. Heat stroke is one of the major reasons for motormen taking ill. The iron body of the trains make it difficult both during summer and winter. We have been requesting the authorities to provide air conditioning to running rooms for loco pilots/motormen to rest. They are doing it slowly across the country now. But, not much has happened in southern railway so far,” a functionary of ALRSA (All India Loco running staff association) said.