Pune GRP flags 10 railway accident hotspots

Under the Pune railway jurisdiction, the 10 identified hotspots are Pune, Kasarwadi, Chinchwad, Akurdi, Lonavla, Ahilyanagar, Kolhapur, Pandharpur, Solapur and Miraj

The Government Railway Police (GRP) Pune has identified 10 accident-prone spots along the railway tracks in its jurisdiction and assigned each such spot to a senior police officer who will monitor the location and coordinate measures to prevent further accidents/fatalities. The GRP has also written to the Pune railway administration seeking necessary safety arrangements at these hotspots, including measures to restrict unsafe access and prevent people from coming in contact with the railway tracks.

The GRP has also written to the Pune railway administration seeking necessary safety arrangements at these hotspots, including measures to restrict unsafe access and prevent people from coming in contact with the railway tracks. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

The move comes after a review of accidental death cases registered within the Maharashtra railway police jurisdiction. As per the GRP communication, as many as 2,461 accidental deaths were registered in the Maharashtra railway jurisdiction till the end of 2025. The letter states that on an average, seven to eight passengers lose their lives every day due to railway accidents within the Maharashtra railway jurisdiction.

The GRP said that a detailed review was carried out to identify locations witnessing a high number of railway accidents. These locations have been designated as accident-prone areas or ‘hotspots’ and entrusted to supervisory officers for close monitoring and implementation of preventive measures. Under the Pune railway jurisdiction, the 10 identified hotspots are Pune, Kasarwadi, Chinchwad, Akurdi, Lonavla, Ahilyanagar, Kolhapur, Pandharpur, Solapur and Miraj. The GRP has identified unauthorised crossing and movement on railway tracks, absence of protective walls and fencing, inadequate lighting arrangements, insufficient foot over bridges (FOBs), and unsafe movement of passengers as major causes of repeated accidents at these locations.

The police have asked the railway administration to undertake engineering measures, including construction and repair of protective walls and fencing, provision of additional FOBs, improvement of lighting arrangements, installation of signboards and public announcement systems, and implementation of access-control systems. The GRP has also sought joint inspections by the GRP and RPF, deployment of necessary manpower at sensitive locations, and periodic inspections and maintenance of records. It has recommended awareness campaigns among local residents, schools and people in public places to highlight the dangers of unauthorised railway track crossing.

Pune GRP superintendent of police Rajkumar Shinde said, “The review of accidental death cases has shown that a substantial number of fatalities are directly linked to unauthorised crossing of railway tracks and unrestricted public access to railway premises. These vulnerabilities not only contribute to accidental deaths but also facilitate theft of railway property, signal and cable theft, stone-pelting incidents, vandalism, sabotage and other offences affecting passenger safety and railway operations”.

“Railway infrastructure constitutes a critical national asset and therefore comprehensive preventive, protective and technology-driven measures need to be implemented on priority to reduce accidental deaths, strengthen railway security and safeguard railway property. Strengthening, repairing and constructing boundary walls, fencing and protective barriers at identified vulnerable locations; and closing unauthorised crossing points, trespassing routes and illegal access pathways are among the important measures,” Shinde said.

“Improvement of illumination through installation of high-intensity lighting systems; and construction of FOBs, subways, pedestrian pathways and other safe crossing facilities wherever feasible will help prevent people from crossing railway tracks. Warning boards, safety signage, public-address systems and public-awareness displays should also be installed at strategic locations,” Shinde further said.

The GRP has also suggested examining the feasibility of advanced track-monitoring and early-warning systems, including high-resolution cameras, artificial intelligence-based surveillance, thermal imaging devices and obstacle-detection sensors. According to the police, such systems could help detect obstructions, trespassers, damaged tracks and other potential threats and facilitate timely alerts to loco pilots and railway control authorities.

Shinde said, “The possibility of integrating such systems with railway control offices, CCTV monitoring centres, the RPF and GRP communication networks may also be explored to strengthen real-time monitoring, intelligence sharing and emergency response mechanisms”.

The GRP has asked the railway administration to prepare a time-bound action plan for each of the identified hotspots, with clearly defined responsibilities and timelines. It has also requested that representatives from the railway administration be nominated for conducting joint inspections of the identified locations. The police have sought an action taken report (ATR) on the recommendations for review and monitoring and have requested that the matter be treated as ‘most urgent’ in the interest of preventing accidental deaths, ensuring passenger safety and protecting railway property.

“People often use railway tracks as shortcuts, particularly at locations where there is no convenient FOB or safe pedestrian crossing. The railways should identify such points, block unauthorised access and provide safe alternative routes,” said Shailesh Kshirsagar, a passenger who regularly travels through railway stations within the Pune jurisdiction.

“Better fencing, lighting and regular announcements are necessary, especially at busy stations. Security personnel should also be deployed at vulnerable points to discourage people from entering the tracks,” said another passenger Kiran Pisal.