Gap trap deaths rose in ’15, Borivali most dangerous of the lot
Gap trap deaths – fatalities caused by commuters slipping through the gap between platforms and trains’ footboards – rose in 2015 despite the railways’ efforts to raise platform heights throughout the suburban section.
According to statistics released by the Government Railway Police, 40 people fell to the killer gap in 2015, up six from 34 in 2013. Gap trap deaths rose on both the Central Railway and the Western Railway suburban networks. On the Central Railway, the number rose from nine to 12, while on the Western Railway it went up from 25 to 28.
Borivali reported the highest number of gap trap deaths at 13, followed by Churchgate with seven deaths. On the Central line, Thane and Kalyan topped with three deaths each, followed by Kurla and Dadar with two deaths each.
Divisional Railway Manager, Western Railway, Shailendra Kumar said platforms with height below 840 mm were prioritised. “Work on all these platforms has been completed. By December 2016, all other platforms too will be compliant with the height specifications. People should be more careful while boarding or alighting trains because that is when these accidents take place.”
Railway activist Sameer Zaveri, who lost his legs in a rail accident, said a high court order as early as October 6, 2004 had asked the railways to start raising the height of platforms wherever necessary. “But the railways remained in a deep slumber until the High Court intervened again in February 2104, compelling the railways to take up the work on a war footing.” The High Court had taken Suo Moto cognisance after Ghatkopar resident Monica More lost her arms while trying to board a running train, on platform number 2, on January 11, 2014.
So far, work has been completed only on 48 of the 83 Central Railway platforms that required an increase in height. On the Western Railway, 144 platforms were identified. Work on only 56 of them has been completed.
According to statistics released by the Government Railway Police, 40 people fell to the killer gap in 2015, up six from 34 in 2013. Gap trap deaths rose on both the Central Railway and the Western Railway suburban networks. On the Central Railway, the number rose from nine to 12, while on the Western Railway it went up from 25 to 28.
Borivali reported the highest number of gap trap deaths at 13, followed by Churchgate with seven deaths. On the Central line, Thane and Kalyan topped with three deaths each, followed by Kurla and Dadar with two deaths each.
Surprisingly, gap trap injuries reduced in 2015 to 26 from 39 in the previous year. Member of Western Railway’s Divisional Railway Consultative Committee Rajiv Singhal said it will take at least a year more to complete the work of raising the height of all platforms. “And that is the only durable solution,” he said.
Divisional Railway Manager, Western Railway, Shailendra Kumar said platforms with height below 840 mm were prioritised. “Work on all these platforms has been completed. By December 2016, all other platforms too will be compliant with the height specifications. People should be more careful while boarding or alighting trains because that is when these accidents take place.”
Railway activist Sameer Zaveri, who lost his legs in a rail accident, said a high court order as early as October 6, 2004 had asked the railways to start raising the height of platforms wherever necessary. “But the railways remained in a deep slumber until the High Court intervened again in February 2104, compelling the railways to take up the work on a war footing.” The High Court had taken Suo Moto cognisance after Ghatkopar resident Monica More lost her arms while trying to board a running train, on platform number 2, on January 11, 2014.
So far, work has been completed only on 48 of the 83 Central Railway platforms that required an increase in height. On the Western Railway, 144 platforms were identified. Work on only 56 of them has been completed.
