Drive effect: Dip in number of deaths on tracks

The railways’ anti-trespassing drive seems to have made an impact on the mindset of the public.

The railways’ anti-trespassing drive seems to have made an impact on the mindset of the public.

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The number of deaths and injuries caused due to crossing tracks has reduced on both Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) since the Anmol Jeevan drive was launched in February 2009.

At least 20,706 people have died while crossing tracks in the last five years — an average of 10 deaths a day — revealed the CR and WR in response to a query under the Right to Information Act.

Before the campaign was launched last year, more than 15 people would be crushed under trains while crossing tracks in a month, said Western Railway authorities.

In November 2010, there were 10 deaths on tracks were reported across the city.

As part of the drive, WR authorities conducted sessions at schools in the western suburbs for two months to educate parents through their children about the hazards of crossing tracks.

“This drive has been successful, but many people still cross tracks. It will take time to stop this menace completely, but the mindset of people has been changing,” said Tukaram Chavan, commissioner of Government Railway Police.

Srinivas Mudgerikar, chief spokesperson, Central Railway, said they have been constructing boundary walls along both sides of the tracks for more than two years to prevent trespassers and encourage commuters to use the foot overbridges.

“The Central Railway has been also been publishing advertisements in English and vernacular newspapers about the anti-trespassing drive and creating awareness about the hazards of crossing railway tracks,” added Mudgerikar.