WR to introduce ‘Wadala model’ at Andheri

The most effective method against trespassing on railway tracks — the Wadala Model, a public awareness display which has a series of images of a man being crushed by train and his expression of agony — will be duplicated by the Western Railway (WR) at Andheri, said quizmaster and chairman of the National Passenger Association, Derek O’Brien.

The most effective method against trespassing on railway tracks — the Wadala Model, a public awareness display which has a series of images of a man being crushed by train and his expression of agony — will be duplicated by the Western Railway (WR) at Andheri, said quizmaster and chairman of the National Passenger Association, Derek O’Brien.

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The WR said Andheri, Goregaon, Kandivli and Borivli stations have the maximum trespassing cases with nearly 10 cases being reported everyday.
O’Brien said, “The WR has promised they will introduce the Wadala model as a pilot at Andheri station.” The Central Railway introduced this model in October 2009.

Derek O’Brien also said the 15-car train services starting from Churchgate will begin in January. However, WR officials said they are trying to start these services from March.

There will also be facility of starting low-cost meal schemes called ‘Jan Ahar’ at Mumbai Central station from January. It will consist of food items at prices ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 35.

Apart from these, there will be five other commercial food stalls selling Chinese, Indian, fast food and ice creams. “These will be regular stalls which will act like food plazas at shopping malls,” said a senior WR official, on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

The railways are also planning to take more stringent actions against touts making group ticket bookings for outstation trains. “We will make it mandatory to display a photo identity card of atleast one passenger in the group while booking multiple tickets. This will ensure reduction in number of tickets sold by touts,” O’Brien said.

According to CR figures, in 2009 the number of cases against touts was 62. It increased to 110 in October 2010. While WR figures said cases against touts were 42 in 2009, which increased to 154 in October 2010.