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The Railway Board has directed Kolkata Metro authorities to source running crew from other railway zones to tackle an acute manpower deficit of over 28 per cent among its loco pilots and assistant loco pilots. Out of a sanctioned strength of 427 running staff, Kolkata Metro currently operates with only 306 personnel on its rolls. Even within this existing workforce, a significant majority are on temporary loan—including 164 personnel from Eastern Railway and 80 from South Eastern Railway—leaving the rapid transit network heavily reliant on external deputations.
The critical shortfall comes at a time when the Kolkata Metro network is undergoing rapid expansion, with new corridors and extended stretches being commissioned across the city. Following a high-level review meeting held in New Delhi, the Railway Board addressed the rising operational requirement for motormen and shunters. Officials stressed that bringing in qualified operating crew on inter-zonal deputation is essential to maintain train frequencies, avoid operational strain on existing staff, and ensure safe, uninterrupted passenger services across all operational corridors.
