Why Loco Pilots Can't Post Cab Videos on Social Media: South Central Railway's New Safety Directive Explained

Secunderabad – The South Central Railway has issued a stern advisory prohibiting videography inside locomotive cabs and the uploading of such content to social media platforms, emphasizing the need to maintain undivided attention for safe train operations. The notice originates from the Office of the General Manager (Electrical) at Rail Nilayam in Secunderabad. Addressed to senior divisional electrical engineers in traction rolling stock operations across Vijayawada, Guntakal, Nanded, and Hyderabad divisions, as well as principals of training centers in Vijayawada, Guntakal, and Kazipet, the directive underscores a zero-tolerance approach to distractions that could jeopardize passenger and crew safety.

The advisory draws from recent observations by the Inspector General and Principal Chief Security Commissioner of South Central Railway, detailed in a letter dated November 25, 2025. During social media patrolling by the Security Intelligence Bureau headquarters, instances were identified where loco pilots had recorded videos inside the cab and posted them on personal accounts on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. These posts, accessible to the general public, captured elements of the locomotive interior during active duty. This follows earlier reminders, including a Railway Board letter from July 20, 2021, and a prior South Central Railway communication from July 29, 2021, both aimed at curbing similar practices.

Indian Railways safety norms explicitly forbid loco pilots and assistant loco pilots from engaging in any activity that diverts their focus from train operations. The locomotive cab serves as a critical zone requiring complete concentration, and personal videography or mobile phone use not only risks distraction but also undermines cab security and operational discipline. Such actions could further breach internal security protocols, potentially endangering the entire train service and its passengers. The notice stresses that these videos, often linked to railway systems, pose direct threats to overall safety standards.

In response, the advisory mandates immediate counseling for all running staff to refrain from creating or uploading any content related to railway workings on social media. This includes explicit instructions against sharing videos that connect to operational elements, with the goal of preventing compromises to train safety. Additionally, running staff are to be sensitized through formal acknowledgment processes, ensuring they understand the implications. Crew loco inspectors have been directed to monitor mobile phone usage during duty hours for their assigned loco pilots and assistant loco pilots, enforcing compliance at the ground level.