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Loco pilots given free SIM cards

KOLLAM: As part of the steps initiated for improving safety, Railways have started distributing free mobile SIM cards provided by Airtel to the loco pilots of Kerala.

The programme, under the Thiruvananthapuram Division, began by issuing the cards at Nagercoil, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Ernakulam.

Railway sources said the SIM cards under the closed user group (CUG) system would enable the loco pilots of running trains to contact the base control office directly. This would help them meet emergency situations. Earlier there was no provision for loco pilots of running trains to contact the control office directly.

The mobile numbers of all the loco pilots would be available at the control office. As of now, loco pilots have only walkie-talkies with which only nearby stations can be contacted. Calls from the free SIM issues would be free of cost to all railway CUG numbers. Free calls of up to Rs.300 a month are also provided for calls to land and other mobile numbers.

The sources said the system had been implemented as per orders of the Railway Board and was already in force in several divisions.

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