People drop in here to beat their stress but once out of this place not all reach home safely. Reason: they use the railway tracks to cut short their journey but end up shortening their lives.
Trains mowing down tipsy jaywalkers are a regular feature at the Budvel railway station. Blame it on the negligence of the authorities or the feeble voiced public protests, a toddy compound continues to function right adjacent to the Budvel railway station posing a grave danger to the visitors.
On the Toddy trail
Most visitors just walk along the rail tracks to reach the toddy compound and use the same route to return back. However, not many have been successful in their adventure. In the last one-and-a-half month about five people were run over by trains near Budvel railway station alone.
The place teems with activity from morning and there is a heavy rush during the evening hours. It is believed that a few just lost their lives while walking on the tracks under the influence of toddy.
“People come to the place either by taking a train or by walking along the railway tracks. Many a time they sleep on the tracks and are run over by the train,” an official at the Budvel railway station said.
The area around Budvel is dominated by labourers due to the presence of many factories. Toddy compounds are a big hit among labourers and most of them report good business.
Increasing death toll
Rail transport being cheaper most of the people commute through trains from off places such as Uppuguda and Falaknuma as well. As a result there is an increase in the number of deaths on the tracks on the stretch between Falaknuma and Umdanagar, the railway police say.
Five people died in January while in February eight people lost their lives. Till mid-March five people have lost their lives.
When contacted Kachiguda Railway Inspector, P. Venkateshwarlu said, “We are taking steps to educate and prevent trespassing of people on the railway tracks. Special teams are also being sent to spot.”
Many feel shifting of the toddy compound from this place is the best way to check the mishaps. But there is no formal request from any quarters in this connection.
