More than 1,500 people have been killed and around the same number were injured in mishaps on Mumbai’s railway tracks in the past one year, the data compiled by the Railway Police Commissionerate indicates.
On an average, 10 to 13 people die and seven to 13 are suffer grevious injuries every day while on the move in the suburban railway network. In the past seven days, at least 76 people died and 60 others were injured.
According to the data available on Mumbai Railway Police’s website, 1,505 people, including 1,328 men and 176 women, have died between June 2015 and June 2016. Out of those, the families of 481 could not be traced. Of the 1,536 injured, 1,230 are men and 265 women.
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The Kurla and Kalyan railway stations, which are junctions and some of the most crowded stations on the suburbs, have recorded the maximum deaths, numbering 186 and 185 respectively, during this period. They were followed by Thane (157), Borivali (131), and Vasai (112).
Narendra Patil, Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, said: “More than 80 per cent accidents happen due to people carelessly trespassing on the railway tracks. Most trespassing cases take place at deserted spots between two stations. People often break the walls on either side of the railway track and to cross the track.”
According to Mr. Patil, nearly 90 per cent among of those killed while walking on the tracks are between 18 and 40 years old. He called these men “young” and “daredevils”, who try to cross the tracks. The number of women, children, and old people among the victims is comparatively much less.
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The other causes of deaths include people chasing the train to board it, or falling off the train due to over-crowding, or electrocution rooftop travellers.
“The Railway Police are taking many initiatives to curb accidents. It sends out RPF teams to slum areas to spread awareness on the dangers of crossing tracks. Trespass control measures, such as announcements on railway platforms, setting up of escalators, and bridges are also being undertaken. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, and the Thane Municipal Corporation should also build bridges between two stations [over the tracks] to ensure people do not cross the tracks,” Mr. Patil said.
Railway Police Commissioner Madhukar Pandey could not be reached for his comments. Rupali Ambure, DCP, Central Railway, told The Hindu, “People crossing the railway tracks is one of the major reasons why these mishaps take place, and the police is taking several initiatives to curb this. We collaborate with many NGOs, associations and city colleges to spread awareness among the people. We conduct awareness meetings regularly to reach maximum number of people and send the message that they need to avoid track-crossing completely.”
The writer is an intern with The Hindu