Western Rlys to come down heavily on track trespassers
By Kamal Mishra
After the death of 1,528 people on the railways tracks in the city this year, the Western Railways has come up with a novel method to deal with the problem of people choosing to risk their lives by crossing over the tracks, instead of opting for a footbridge.
The Western Railways will hold a three-day campaign called ‘Zero Trespass’ to spread awareness among people about the perils of crossing railway tracks and to prosecute trespassers.
According to figures available with this paper from the railways, at least nine people die every day on the railways tracks in the city. The same data shows that 1,528 people have already died on the railway tracks so far this year and 386 people have gotten injured.
The railways took up this initiative between Churchgate and Borivali stations especially because 302 people have already died in this stretch of the tracks this year, while 111 people have been injured.
The highest number of trespassing cases was recorded at Borivali station on the Western Railways network. Till now, 137 people have died, while 47 people were injured on the tracks around this station.
“We have requested for extra man power from the RPSF (Railway Protection Special Force) and have also asked the chief metropolitan magistrate to set up two special benches for this campaign. Currently all cases between Charchgate to Borivali are handled by two judges,” a senior officer from the Western Railways said.
All trespassers will be charged with the violation of Section 147 of the Railways Act. 1989. According to this, a person who is found on the track without lawful authority shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to six months, or with a fine, which may extend to Rs 1,000, or with both.
“We will not only to catch offenders, but also educate them. We have posted 400 guards between the given stations for this purpose,” said Mumbai central division security commissioner Anand Vijay Jha said.
The railways has also invited suggestions from the public for ways to tackle this problem. Suggestions can be mailed to suggestionswr@gmail.com.
After the death of 1,528 people on the railways tracks in the city this year, the Western Railways has come up with a novel method to deal with the problem of people choosing to risk their lives by crossing over the tracks, instead of opting for a footbridge.
The Western Railways will hold a three-day campaign called ‘Zero Trespass’ to spread awareness among people about the perils of crossing railway tracks and to prosecute trespassers.
The campaign will be held on December 10, 11 and 12, between Churchgate and Borivali stations.
According to figures available with this paper from the railways, at least nine people die every day on the railways tracks in the city. The same data shows that 1,528 people have already died on the railway tracks so far this year and 386 people have gotten injured.
The railways took up this initiative between Churchgate and Borivali stations especially because 302 people have already died in this stretch of the tracks this year, while 111 people have been injured.
The highest number of trespassing cases was recorded at Borivali station on the Western Railways network. Till now, 137 people have died, while 47 people were injured on the tracks around this station.
“We have requested for extra man power from the RPSF (Railway Protection Special Force) and have also asked the chief metropolitan magistrate to set up two special benches for this campaign. Currently all cases between Charchgate to Borivali are handled by two judges,” a senior officer from the Western Railways said.
All trespassers will be charged with the violation of Section 147 of the Railways Act. 1989. According to this, a person who is found on the track without lawful authority shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to six months, or with a fine, which may extend to Rs 1,000, or with both.
“We will not only to catch offenders, but also educate them. We have posted 400 guards between the given stations for this purpose,” said Mumbai central division security commissioner Anand Vijay Jha said.
The railways has also invited suggestions from the public for ways to tackle this problem. Suggestions can be mailed to suggestionswr@gmail.com.
