Kishanganj: A DEMU passenger train remained halted for nearly three hours at Thakurganj railway station in Bihar’s Kishanganj district on Wednesday after the locomotive pilot declined to continue the journey, stating that his scheduled duty hours had ended.
The train, numbered 75719 and operating between Malda and Siliguri, arrived at platform number one of Thakurganj station at around 2:52 pm. Shortly after the train stopped, the loco pilot informed the station master that he had completed his duty shift and would not operate the train further.
According to railway safety regulations, locomotive pilots are required to take mandatory rest after working continuously for around nine to ten hours. The pilot reportedly cited these operational safety rules, explaining that he had already completed nearly nine hours of duty and continuing further could compromise safety standards.
The sudden halt left passengers waiting on the platform and inside the train for several hours. Travellers heading towards Siliguri and Kishanganj including traders, daily wage labourers and families with children were forced to endure the delay from afternoon until evening.
As the wait stretched on, many passengers expressed frustration with railway authorities. Some said they missed connecting trains due to the disruption, while others complained about the lack of immediate alternative arrangements.
The incident underscored the challenges of balancing strict railway safety protocols with passenger convenience. While the loco pilot’s decision was in line with operational rules designed to prevent fatigue-related accidents, the delay caused considerable inconvenience for travellers. Railway officials later began making alternative arrangements to move the train forward.
