Mumbai: Central Railway’s efforts to minimise fatalities on tracks as part of Mission Zero Death yielded favourable results. The number of cases of death on tracks reduced considerably by 367 cases (14%)—from 2,755 cases from Jan to Oct 2023 to 2,388 cases from Jan to Oct 2024, latest statistics released on Sat revealed.
Of the 2,388 cases of death on tracks, 1,210 cases are attributed to trespassing, which constitutes more than 50%. Many of these cases of trespassing also result in grievous injuries, including loss of limb/limbs, which is approximately 18%.
Other causes of death/injuries on tracks encompass 653 cases due to falling from moving trains, 91 cases due to falling in the gap between the platform and train, and 1,423 cases due to other causes like suicide, death by electric shocks, and death due to natural causes like heart attacks and illness, the statistics indicated.
The number of injured in these incidents also decreased by 141 (10%)—from 1,352 cases from Jan to Oct 2023 to 1,211 cases from Jan to Oct 2024. The total number of incidents reduced by 508 cases (13%), an official stated.
A senior official said, “Central Railway has made concerted efforts to reduce such incidents by conducting a wide range of awareness campaigns such as deputing RPF staff at critical blackspots/sections for trespass control, construction of boundary walls in trespass sections (mostly in suburban areas, especially Mumbai Division), removal of encroachment on railway boundaries, near railway tracks, and awareness programmes by RPF with other departments in trespass areas.”
Some of the other long-term measures include platform widening, construction of new platforms, FOBs, subways, plans to replace non-AC with AC local trains, escalators and lifts to avoid trespassing, and scattered office working hours to reduce peak time rush, said CR Chief Spokesperson Swapnil Nila.
An RPF official said that distribution of pamphlets, counselling through banners, and street plays were being conducted regularly. Some of the other actions by railway staff include punitive actions registered under section 147 of the Railway Act, fencing at platform ends, removal of ramps at platform ends to avoid trespass, and installation of whistle boards near black spots, an official added.