A day after the tragic collision between the Kanchanjunga Express and a cargo train in West Bengal, Indian Railways has announced an extensive recruitment drive for assistant loco pilots (ALPs). In a significant move to enhance safety measures, the Railway Board has approved 18,799 vacancies for ALPs, more than tripling the 5,696 vacancies announced earlier this year in January.

The directive for the new vacancies has been dispatched to general managers of all Zonal Railways, with instructions to expedite the recruitment process. This decision aims to mitigate future accidents by ensuring an adequate number of trained personnel are available.

The recruitment process, expected to span at least six months, involves multiple stages, including notification of the posts, written examinations, aptitude tests, and medical evaluations. Following successful completion, the newly recruited ALPs will undergo comprehensive training before being deployed to their respective duties.

This surge in ALP vacancies underscores Indian Railways' commitment to prioritizing passenger safety and operational efficiency in the wake of the recent accident.