70 killed, 86 injured in railway accidents last week

The GRP officials said that while the suburban section was prone to accidents, most of last week’s casualties were caused due to overcrowding in trains owing to Ganeshotsav.

Seventy people lost their lives and 86 others were injured in various mishaps on suburban trains last week, data from the Government Railway Police (GRP) showed.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) said, for most pandal hoppers, local trains are the preferred mode of transportation during Ganeshotsav. It is difficult to deter anybody from boarding overcrowded trains. (HT PHOTO)

The GRP officials said that while the suburban section was prone to accidents, most of last week’s casualties were caused due to overcrowding in trains owing to Ganeshotsav.

According to the GRP, contrary to the daily travel patterns, last week, the trains heading to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) were overcrowded during the night.

“Trains on the Central Railway have been overcrowded, with scores travelling from beyond Kalyan. Many travelled on footboards. On Saturday, 14 people died while, 14 others were injured,” said a GRP official requesting anonymity.

Three of the 14 deaths reported on Saturday were between Thane and Diva stations, while four deaths were recorded between Karjat and Dombivli stations. On Western Railway, four deaths were reported on the Mumbai Central-Borivli stretch.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) said, for most pandal hoppers, local trains are the preferred mode of transportation during Ganeshotsav. It is difficult to deter anybody from boarding overcrowded trains.Extra personnel have been deployed on platforms, said GRP officials, adding that medical aid is provided to accident victims at the earliest.

“Sufficient personnel have been deployed at various railway stations that are in proximity to popular city pandals, which draw scores of devotees. The idea is to manage the footfall better and avoid any untoward incident,” said Ritesh Aher, GRP spokesperson.