Thiruvananthapuram: Railways’ breathalysers have been showing false positives, forcing the loco pilots to follow severe dietary restrictions, reports Manorama Online. The machine incorrectly recognises medicines, certain fruits and even tender coconut water for alcohol. Meanwhile, the Railways recommended dietary restrictions for the loco pilot instead of fixing the faulty breathalysers. The Railway Electrical Operations department has issued a strange circular advising loco pilot to refrain from having homoeopathic medicines, cough syrups, certain types of plantains, soft drinks, tender coconut water, or using mouthwashes before or during their duty hours. The machine shows false positives in the routine breathalyser tests for loco pilots before the duty. If the machine detects alcohol, the loco pilot would be sent for blood tests.

Dietary restrictions were imposed when the blood tests showed no trace of alcohol. The order states that the loco pilots should inform the higher authorities if they have restricted food items and explain why they consumed them. Besides, the order also warns that action would be taken against the loco pilots for deliberately hindering the rail services if they cannot give proper reasons for consuming the restricted food items. Meanwhile, the All India Loco Running Staff Association has demanded to withdraw the controversial circular. 
When Onmanorama contacted the Southern Railways, they stated it was a Railway Board decision and declined to comment further at the moment. 

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