In a bizarre incident at Bihar’s Thakurganj railway station, a loco pilot abruptly abandoned his train after his shift ended, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded for nearly three hours. The DMU train from Malda to Siliguri ground to a halt on platform 1, sparking outrage among daily commuters, traders, and families.
The train, numbered 75719, typically departs Malda at 6:35 AM, serving workers and merchants traveling between districts. On this day, it was already running three hours late. By the time it pulled into Thakurganj around 2:52 PM, the pilot’s mandatory nine-hour duty had expired. Citing railway regulations, he refused to proceed further.
Station staff and the train guard pleaded with him to continue to Siliguri, just a short distance away. But the pilot, who had been signaling delays from Dalkhola, stood firm. ‘My duty is over,’ he reportedly said, before grabbing his belongings and walking off the locomotive.
Chaos ensued as the train sat idle, blocking the platform and delaying other operations. Passengers, many heading to Siliguri, Kishanganj, and nearby areas, grew increasingly frustrated. Some shouted in anger, while others scrambled for alternatives when a later train arrived.
Railway rules strictly limit loco pilots to 9-10 hours on duty to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Sources say no replacement driver was immediately available at Thakurganj, prolonging the ordeal. Relief came hours later when a pilot arrived from Siliguri, finally moving the train forward.
This episode highlights ongoing challenges in Indian Railways’ staffing and scheduling, especially on regional routes prone to delays. Commuters demand better contingency plans to avoid such disruptions in the future.