Solapur division promotes 220 employees as assistant loco pilots

Divisional Railway Manager (Solapur) of Central Railway Sujeet Mishra and senior officers participating in a farewell function at the Solapur Railway Station for Level 1 employees leaving for Bhusaval after their promotion as assistant loco pilots. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

In a landmark development for Indian Railways, the Solapur Division of Central Railway has successfully facilitated the promotion of 220 Level 1 employees under the Seventh Central Pay Commission to the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) marking a significant step forward both in career progression and operational safety.

In a media note, officers from the Solapur Division of the Central Railway said that the unprecedented achievement has been made possible through a one-time special exemption granted by the Railway Board.

“The Solapur Division is a major beneficiary of this initiative, following a proactive proposal by the Central Railway Headquarters, submitted at the request of the division. Ordinarily, departmental ALP posts are open only to employees serving at Electric Loco Sheds. However, recognising that Solapur Division does not have such a facility, the Railway Ministry made an exceptional policy relaxation. This allowed Level 1 employees, including Track Maintainers, Pointsmen, Technicians and General Assistants, to become eligible for the selection process,” the note said.

It added that beyond personal career advancement, this addresses a pressing operational need of filling critical vacancies in the loco crew cadre. This development is expected to significantly enhance the safe and efficient movement of trains across the Solapur Division and the wider Central Railway zone.

As per the details provided by the officials, a final panel of 220 successful candidates was formed after a rigorous selection process, which included a written examination, an A1-category medical fitness evaluation and an Aptitude (Psychological) Test.

“Of these, 185 will be deployed within Solapur Division itself, while 35 will take up duties under Pune Division. The 185 candidates from Solapur span a broad spectrum of departments, reflecting the inclusivity of the initiative. These include Civil Engineering, Operating, Track Machine, Construction, Carriage and Wagon, Electrical and Signal and Telecom. All selected employees will now undergo 122 days of intensive initial training at the Zonal Railway Training Institute (ZRTI) in Bhusaval to prepare for their new responsibilities,” the note said.

On June 8, a farewell was organised at the Solapur Railway Station to mark the official relieving of these employees from their previous posts.

A specially designated coach transported them to Bhusaval via Pune, symbolising the start of a new chapter in their Railway careers. The send-off ceremony was attended by Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Solapur Sujeet Mishra, along with senior officers, colleagues and representatives from all trade unions.

In his address, Mr. Mishra shared words of encouragement with the newly appointed ALPs. He urged them to embrace the training with seriousness, to gain deep practical knowledge and to uphold safety as their paramount duty. He also called upon them to serve Indian Railways with the utmost dignity, diligence and integrity.

Published - June 11, 2025 06:58 pm IST