India, Feb. 18 -- Loco pilots of the Indian railways will observe a 36-hour fast beginning February 20 morning to press its demands for better working conditions including steps to reduce their working hours from 11 to 8 hours, the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) has said.

In a letter to the railways ministry, AILRSA said the authorities were yet to accept the recommendation of the parliamentary standing committee that prescribed an 8-hour shift for loco pilots.

The association said loco pilots are required to work up to 11 hours at a stretch. In practice, loco pilots, especially those operating goods trains, are often forced to work for 12 to 20 continuous hours, it said.

The railways ministry spokesperson was unavai...