An order issued by the board suggests that not all SPAD’s would result in termination of the pilots, as was largely the case in the past.

On January 8, the board issued an order (copy available with DT Next) reducing the gravity of punishment imposed on the train crew during SPAD. If a train crosses the danger signal and stays within the mandatory 120-metre limit (adequate safety distance or called block overlap in railway parlance), the negligent loco pilot would be reduced to a lower post/grade of loco pilot shunter for two years in the first instance. In the case of assistant loco pilot, s/he would be reduced to lowest grade/post for three years.

Termination from service would become inevitable if the crew pilot the train beyond the mandatory 120 metre safety distance beyond the danger signal while being received at a station. Contributory factors and the track record of the pilots would be factored in while appealing for review of punishment.

All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA), which has welcomed the announcement from the board, has issued a circular to all its members to take a pledge not to cross danger signals at all.