A Vande Bharat loco pilot alleges a serious flaw in the railway breathalyser system
NEW DELHI: A loco pilot who operated the Agra-Kanpur Vande Bharat has alleged a serious flaw in the Railways’ breathalyser testing system after a post-duty test initially showed a staggering 550 mg/100 ml alcohol level — a reading described by experts as extremely high and potentially life-threatening, while a subsequent blood test reportedly found no alcohol in his system. The incident occurred on August 25, when Singh operated the Vande Bharat from Agra Cantonment station to Kanpur. Immediately after signing off at 9.21am, he underwent a breathalyser test at the loco pilot’s lobby.
The official added, “The blood test confirmed that Singh had not consumed alcohol, but the concerned department is not revealing Singh’s blood report, apparently out of guilt and embarrassment. The incident has prompted questions over the reliability of the breathalyser system and the manner in which the test was handled. The loco pilot, Shyam Singh, has sought CCTV footage of the testing process, a copy of his blood report and action against the Loco Inspector (LI), alleging that he was harassed and sought to be falsely implicated despite being a teetotaller. Singh was sent back to Agra and was not permitted to operate trains on the day of the incident. However, he was taken back on duty the very next day.”
“However, according to the LI who conducted the BA test, the CMS did not record the findings due to a technical fault. Despite this, he insisted that the BA result confirmed an alarmingly high level of alcohol in the loco pilot’s system,” the officer said.
However, 45 minutes later, the Loco Inspector (LI) who conducted the test called him and informed him that his BA test was actually positive and that he must undergo a blood test to cross-check the findings,” an official privy to the case said. They said the LI contacting Singh 45 minutes later to inform him that the test was positive was suspicious and warranted an investigation. He added, “It was quite obvious that the reading of 550 mg/100 ml was erroneous, considering that Singh had driven the train safely and was present at the lobby for the test. A person with an alcohol level of 550 mg/100 ml would be expected to show severe signs of intoxication and may not even be able to stand or speak properly.
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“We are looking into this case and will take a prompt decision,” a senior railway official said. Lobby staff said the breathalyser machines are linked to the Crew Management System (CMS), which records test results and enables senior officials to take further action. Senior loco pilots said the episode appeared to be a case of vendetta against Singh, pointing out that a normal breathalyser test generates a result immediately. A loco pilot cannot be expected to remain mentally at ease while operating a train if he is aware that a senior staff member is trying to frame him in a false case,” a senior loco pilot said.
“His BA test initially showed negative, and he went to the running room to rest. Singh has since written to senior officials seeking CCTV footage covering the entire breathalyser test, a copy of the blood report and action against the LI for allegedly acting with mala fide intent to frame him in a false and frivolous case. “It is a serious issue. The matter should be thoroughly investigated. If a senior staff member has deliberately tried to frame a loco pilot, it not only amounts to playing with the career of a railway staff but also jeopardising railway safety. The LI should have exercised greater caution and common sense before taking Singh off the roster and sending him back without allowing him to undertake train duty. Download the TOI App.