Mumbai: An unprecedented 16 deaths were recorded on Sunday in rail-related mishaps, the highest in a single day and that too, a public holiday. The number of track deaths is nearly twice that of the average of nine deaths per day on the city’s suburban rail network, and has railway passenger associations up in arms demanding a comprehensive plan from the Railways to curb track deaths.
Commuter associations reacted with anger, alleging callousness on the part of railway authorities. Kailash Verma, General Secretary, Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, said, “We have requested railway authorities several times to prioritise this issue and build a boundary wall along the tracks. Most track deaths are a result of trespassing. Victims who survive the mishap often don’t reach the hospital within the ‘golden hour’. ”
Till date this year, records show 1,044 passengers have died and 1,110 suffered injuries. Most accidents occurred at Kalyan railway station, followed by Kurla and Thane stations. Of the 16 deaths on Sunday, four were at Thane station. Rajiv Singhal, member, DRUCC, WR, said the Railways Minister minister is busy with inaugurations and not passenger safety. “People need to be educated on the dangers of trespassing and other reasons leading to track deaths. Trespassers should be prosecuted and imprisoned. Why can’t a special department be created to monitor accident-prone spots and work to minimise casualties?”
Satvik Tripathi, who regularly commutes between Jogeshwari amd Khar Road, said, “Though I have not witnessed one, I have been reading about the tragic deaths of passengers. Why doesn’t the Railways construct a permanent boundary wall to prevent passengers from accessing the tracks?”
Niket Kaushik, Commissioner, Government Railway Police (GRP) said preventing track deaths is also the responsibility of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Railways. “We investigate accident cases for foul play. We conduct regular awareness campaigns. This [preventing rail-related mishaps] is the Railways’s job; they should come up with a plan to curb these deaths.”
He added, “Every day, eight to nine passengers die on railway tracks in the city due to the rush and other problems, which the Railways has been facing for years. Railways authorities should check at the operational level for reasons behind so many deaths.”
Mukul jain, Divisional Railway Manager, Western Railway, said, “I agree this [passenger safety] is a collective responsibility shared by the GRP, RPF and the Railways. We are working hard to prevent track deaths. The work on a boundary wall is in progress, and we are conducting campaigns and drives on safety measures. We have installed escalators, lifts and FOBs to curb trespassing."
Narendra Patil, Chief PRO, Central Railway, said, “Most deaths are due to trespassing, and this happens because of lack of road over bridges. Many newcomers to the city are not aware of the local train schedule and lose their lives while crossing the tracks. However, the overall figure for deaths has come down. We have been working on ideas and plans to reduce track deaths.”
