What are the rules for alcohol testing for loco pilots? The Railways has failed to provide clarity.

For loco pilots in the Railways, the blood alcohol level must be zero while on duty. However, the Railway Board has yet to establish clear guidelines on how to determine fitness for duty when only trace amounts of alcohol are detected.

Loco pilots operating trains are required to abstain completely from alcohol while on duty. According to existing Railway regulations, their blood alcohol level must be zero. However, this rule is now being questioned, as instances have emerged where breathalyzer tests showed no alcohol, yet blood tests revealed trace amounts. Consequently, the Railways faces the challenge of defining what level of alcohol—if any—might still be considered acceptable for duty.

This issue is particularly significant because even a minor lapse by a loco pilot could have serious implications for passenger safety. Meanwhile, loco pilot unions argue that, under certain circumstances, trace amounts of alcohol can appear in the blood even without the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

What are the alcohol testing rules for loco pilots?

According to Paragraph 565 of the Indian Railway Medical Manual (IRMM), the blood alcohol level of staff operating trains must be zero—a requirement reiterated by the Railway Board in 2001. Furthermore, laboratories used by several Railway zones are not equipped to accurately detect alcohol concentrations below 10 mg/dL.

Typically, breathalyzer tests are conducted to detect the presence of alcohol while on duty, with blood samples analyzed when necessary. Railway officials acknowledge that, in some cases, trace amounts of alcohol may appear in the blood samples of employees who have not consumed any alcohol. This raises concerns that disciplinary action could be taken based on inaccurate test results.

Why has this issue surfaced following the Bilaspur train accident?

This matter came to light following a train accident that occurred near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, on November 4, 2025. A Gevra-Bilaspur MEMU passenger train collided with the rear of a stationary freight train. The accident resulted in the deaths of 12 people—including the passenger train’s loco pilot—and left approximately 20 others injured.

According to the investigation report by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), while breathalyzer tests conducted on the operating crews of the trains involved showed no traces of alcohol, blood tests revealed alcohol levels ranging from 3 to 10 milligrams per 100 milliliters. The investigation further revealed that the passenger train had passed a red signal. Additionally, it was found that the loco pilot had previously failed a mandatory aptitude test.