At least 603 persons have lost their lives and over 200 have been injured so far this year in accidents according to data with the Chennai Division of Southern Railway.
Faced with this grim scenario of rising number of fatalities, the Chennai Division of Southern Railway launched a public awareness campaign at Chromepet and Guindy stations to prevent commuter mishaps involving trains.
S. Anantharaman, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai Division, Southern Railway, opened the campaign that highlighted the hazards of trespassing on tracks, travelling on footboards and also penal provisions for such acts.
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Railway officials said the campaign was focussed on Chromepet and Guindy stations as fatalities were on the rise in these pockets.
The drive also had special focus on youth and college students.
About 50 volunteers from Railway Mixed Higher Secondary School, Perambur, held placards and distributed pamphlets.
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The campaign was also led by John Thomas, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, J. Christopher Prabhakar, Senior Divisional Safety Officer, Chennai Division, RPF personnel and other Railway officials and staff from Safety Department of Chennai Division.