In the past two years, 22 people have lost their lives while trespassing on the railway track in Puducherry. There have been another five people who have met with accidents with oncoming trains and even more who have had a narrow escape from death.
Despite this, the people in Puducherry continue to cross the railway tracks at the level-crossings right at the time of the arrival of the train. Most people do not see this as a serious problem, but every day, hundreds of people are crossing the tracks after the manned crossings are closed, which means there is a large possibility of accidents on a daily basis, Station Superintendent Balakrishnan said.
Now, the southern Railways is attempting to create awareness on the issue, especially during the Railway Safety Week that started on March 1.
According to statistics available with the Railway Protection Force, in the past two years, the force has booked cases on close to 300 people for trespassing on the tracks before the arrival of the train. In 2012, seven people died while attempting to cross the tracks, and in 2013 the number increased to 15 deaths.
There are a total of 48 gates in the 37-kilometre track between Puducherry and Villupuram with 14 in Puducherry. While the Tamil Nadu region has a large number of unmanned level crossings, in Puducherry there are only four. However, even the manned level crossings in Puducherry have seen accidents when people attempt to cross them, sources said.
As part of the Indian Railways’ 160-year celebration, the authorities are attempting to raise awareness on rail safety. In Puducherry, the main issue that needs addressing is the crossing at the level crossings, Mr. Balakrishnan said.
In most places, people cross at the level crossings even when they see the approaching train, but in Puducherry the distances are much shorter, so people are often caught unawares. Unless there is some discipline, these accidents will continue to increase especially with the increasing number of trains to Puducherry, he said.
Anyone who is caught trespassing can be booked under Section 147 of the Railways Act and a fine between Rs. 100 and Rs. 1000 can be levied. On Saturday morning, the Railway authorities along with the Miracle Community College National Service Scheme volunteers closed the railway gates at Mudaliarpet near the Forest Department to spread awareness on the issue.
