Rail drivers dodge breath test

KOLKATA: Railway authorities have a tough enemy within — the spectre of drunk engine drivers. While the rule book imposes heavy penalty for drivers drinking on duty, the authorities simply do not have any way to keep constant check.
It is mandatory for engine drivers to undergo a breathanalyser test before a journey. “Rules say the driver and his assistant have to report for duty 45 minutes before the scheduled departure and underatake a breath-analyser test.This is meant for drivers of all trains,� said an official.
But the reality is vastly different. While drivers do undergo the breathanalyser test, there is no way to stop him from smuggling in liquor in the course of his journey. The official admitted that checks are hardly conducted.
“We are worried with this trend of drinking while driving the train. It mainly happens with diesel trains,� said Subhas Ranjan Thakur, chief operations manager, ER.
On Sunday evening, a drunk driver of the 3404 Down Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express crossed Suri station at top speed ignoring signals and a scheduled stop. The assistant driver who is supposed to alert and assist the driver in case of an emergency, reportedly did not take any step to stop the train. It was the gateman of a level-crossing who flashed emergency halt signals at the driver. An initial inquiry by a fourmember railway committee has revealed that driver Ajay Kumar Singh was drunk.
He had picked up the bottle from Rampurhat station. With top railway authorities admitting to incidents of drunk driving, a decision has been taken to conduct “surprise checks along the routes for the first time�.
“Sunday’s incident is an eyeopener for all us. The proposed surprise check will initiate a sense of fear among drivers and check this dangerous trend,� Thakur said.