No.AIRF/55 Dated: December 10, 2020
The Chairman-Cum-CEO,
Railway Board,
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
Sub: Review of Co-Drivers(Co-Loco Pilot) for High Speed Trains – Reg.
Ref.: Railway Board’s letter No.2007/Elect.(TRS)/440/14(Co-Driver) dated 24.11.2020
Railway Board vide above referred to letter have issued orders to the General Managers of the Indian Railways, modifying the norms to provide Co-Drivers(Co-Loco Pilot) in High Speed Trains on trial basis for six months.
The existing norms for providing Co-Loco Pilots in the train, as per RBE No.172/2002, are as under:-
(i) Maximum permissible speed should not be less than 110 kmph.
(ii) Average speed on Broad Gauge Sections should not be less than 66 kmph and 60 kmph on Metre-Gauge Sections.
(iii) Maximum distance between Terminals of the train 400 kms.
Revised norms, as per Railway Board’s letter ibid dated 24.11.2020, are as under:-
 Maximum permissible speed should be more than 130 kmph.
Railway Board have revised the norms, vide their letter, as mentioned in the foregoing paras, without any
proper justification or scientific approach.
It would not be out of context to mention here that, High Power Committee, constituted by the Ministry of
Railways, under the Chairmanship of Late Shri D.P. Tripathi, has clearly recommended in para 9.9 of their
report that, in all the High Speed Trains, operating above 110 kmph, Co-Loco Pilot should be in the same
grade as that of Loco Pilot of the train, so that, he can take over control of train operation in any eventuality,
whenever necessary.
Technological advancement in Signalling System, provision of LHB Coaches in place of Conventional
Coaches and High Speed Locomotives do not change the situation, because provision of Co-Pilot in the
same grade is to be provided to take over control of train operation in any eventuality, whenever needed,
and in no way advancement of signalling etc. would change the situation.
It is further to be mentioned that, Railway Board have revised above norms without consulting the Organized Labour or holding any prior discussions with the Staff Side, which is quite unjustified and unfortunate as well.
AIRF, therefore, desires that, Railway Board’s letter dated 24.11.2020, referred to above, vide which norms for provision of Co-Loco Pilot in the same grade as that of Loco Pilot of the train, should be withdrawn forthwith in the larger interest of safety of High Speed Train operation.
This may kindly be treated as “Most Urgent”.



√Copy to: Member(Traction & Rolling Stock), Railway Board – for necessary action please.
√Copy to: Member(Operations & Business Development), Railway Board – for necessary action please.
√Copy to: General Secretaries, All Affiliated Zonal Unions – for information.