Rly commuter groups oppose on­-the­-spot fine for trespassing

MUMBAI: Suburban commuter organisations and activists have opposed the railways proposal to amend the Railway Act to allow the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to fine commuters caught trespassing railway tracks on the spot.

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The railways had suggested an amendment in the Railway Act, which will allow on-the-spot penalty to those caught trespassing instead of prosecuting them. Currently, any passenger caught trespassing is prosecuted before magistrate, where he is punished under section 147 of the Railways Act. The section lays down imprisonment of up to 6 months or fine up to Rs1,000. The average penalty charged for this violation is Rs225. “Many times commuters are forced to cross the tracks because of the last-minute announcement by railways . The railways should improve their announcement system. Besides, they should construct boundary walls adjacent to their tracks, if they want to reduce mid-section trespass,” said Dipak Gandhi, commuter activist and ex-chairman of Mumbai Suburban Railway Passengers Association.