Mumbai: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of the Central Railway has come come up with an innovative idea to stop able-bodied passengers from boarding the compartments reserved on local trains for persons with disabilities. The RPF has made a two-minute-long short film called Haq Na Chheeno , which will be shown in the public places to spread awareness among passengers.
According to sub-inspector Brijesh Kumar, the film was shot in just one day with 11 non-actors and one child artiste who has acted in a few advertisements. “The concept came from the senior RPF officials and we made sure to implement it immediately. The film was shot at Ghatkopar station,” Mr. Kumar said.
There have been many cases registered against passengers boarding the reserved compartments to avoid the rush. Though women in the advanced stage of pregnancy are allowed to travel in these compartments, other passengers without any disabilities are not allowed in. If such passengers are found boarding the reserved compartments, they are booked by the RPF under Section 155 of the Railways Act.
According to a Right to Information query filed by railway activist Nitin Gaikwad, 24,400 passengers have been booked for this violation in the last two years. Passengers with disabilities have been doing rounds of the railway police stations seeking strict action such offenders.
Railway activist Jitendra Karelia, a passenger with a disability, said, “We already have less space for us and because of other passengers boarding the reserved compartments, people like us can’t get into the train. Sometimes, they even block the door, making it impossible for us to enter the train. We have been making complaints for years, but nothing specific has been done yet. The film is a good idea to create awareness, but I have my doubts that this will resolve the problem.”
The film will be shown at railway stations and will be put up on social media so that a larger number of people can view it. “If we could change a few passengers’ minds with this film, we will think that we have achieved our goal,” said Mr. Kumar, who played an important role in making the short film.
Sachin Bhalode, senior divisional security commissioner, Central Railway, said, “This film has been made to create awareness among passengers to not board reserved compartments. We [have tried] to make it in the Gandhigiri style.”
