The Railway Ministry has instructed all 17 railway zones to initiate a month-long campaign aimed at ensuring that air conditioning systems in locomotive engines are fully functional and well-maintained to withstand the summer heat.
In an official communiqué to the zones, the ministry emphasized that enhancing the working environment for locomotive crew is a key priority for Indian Railways, as it directly contributes to the safety and efficiency of train operations.
Emphasizing the importance of functional cab air conditioning during the summer months, the Railway Ministry has instructed all zones to ensure that “no locomotive should be dispatched from homing or base sheds with a defective Cab AC” as part of the ongoing month-long maintenance drive.
In its circular dated May 6, the ministry noted that locomotive pilots and assistant pilots have been submitting reports on Cab AC malfunctions through the Crew Management System or logbooks. These reports are also being communicated to the Traction Loco Controller for documentation in the Locomotive Asset Management System.
The ministry urged all zones to raise awareness within the relevant departments to promptly address any issues related to Cab AC functionality. It further recommended formulating an action plan to ensure the swift repair of non-operational AC units and the expedited installation of AC systems in remaining locomotives.
Additionally, railway officers and supervisors have been encouraged to undertake footplate inspections in WAG 9 locomotives to personally assess the effectiveness of Cab AC units.
The directive also instructs all zones to include both electric and diesel locomotives equipped with Cab ACs in this maintenance initiative and to submit a compliance report within a month.
The All India Loco Running Staff Association, which recently held a one-day protest across the railway network on April 30 demanding air-conditioned cabs in all locomotives, welcomed the ministry’s directive.
“We sincerely appreciate your timely initiative, as outlined in your letter dated 06.05.2025, to enhance the conditions of locomotive cabs,” wrote KC James, Secretary General of the association, in a letter to the ministry. He added, “We hope that all locomotive cabins will soon be equipped with ACs to reduce crew stress and, in turn, improve operational efficiency and safety.”
