Southern Railway officials, Railway Police Force personnel, motormen, commuters and representatives from traffic and transportation forums met at the Southern Railway Headquarters Conference Hall, Park Town, on April 28 to discuss the issue of commuters illegally crossing the railway tracks from Chennai Beach and Tambaram Railway Stations.
Anupam Sharma, divisional railway manager, Southern Railway, Chennai, presided over the meeting.
“The main reasons for train-related deaths include disregard for the level crossing signals, use of cellphones while walking over the tracks and avoidance of foot-over-bridges,” said Sharma. Every day, on an average, three to four persons were hit by trains while walking over the tracks. Also, livestock and pet animals were hit by the moving trains, he pointed out.
Commuters and representatives of traffic and transportation forums said strict action should be initiated against those who cross the railway tracks in a manner that invites danger.
“People who trespass should be booked and asked to pay the fine. The offenders should not be allowed to go scot-free. The majority of victims in such train accidents are youngsters. Awareness should be created among college students and youth about the dangers of crossing the tracks,” said V. Santhanam, founder, Chromepet Rail Users Forum. “In order to prevent people from crossing tracks in an illegal manner, the Southern Railway has built subways, foot-over-bridges and compound walls. The compound walls are broken by anti-social elements,” officials pointed out.
Moreover, the commuters requested the officials to provide escalators, construct ramps (for senior citizens and physically-challenged people) and provide proper illumination on the borders of railway stations and on station roads.
Referring to a few fatal incidents, Santhanam said that people tended to walk along the tracks to avoid dark stretches.
A few motormen said that while crossing the tracks people underestimated the speed of the train . Given its speed, a train cannot be brought to a halt suddenly.”
Sharma said that steps would be taken to inspect spots where people trespass in large numbers and to make stations more commuters-friendly by providing ramps and escalators.