Aims to reduce incidents of trespassing on tracks in aftermath of Amritsar tragedy

In the aftermath of the Amritsar tragedy, the Central Railway (CR) on Wednesday said it planned to close down 100 level crossings within its jurisdiction by the end of this financial year to reduce trespassing on tracks.

D.K. Sharma, general manager, CR, said, “Ideally there should be no level crossings, but there should be a gate separator either with use of rail over bridges or a subway.” The Railways has set a target of eliminating all unmanned level crossings by March. Mr. Sharma said, “Last year, the Railway Board wanted us to shut 40 level crossings, we ended up closing 62. This year, target set is 60 and our aim is to touch a three digit figure.”

Building boundary walls

Mr. Sharma said he has informed all divisional railway managers to identify areas where trespassing takes place. He said, “We have asked them to identify spots where owing to a fair or a festival crowds gather near or on the tracks. They will also be best placed to provide solutions as well.”

Mr. Sharma said boundary walls up to 37 km will be built in the Mumbai Division by March to prevent trespassing. According to the railway police, in the Mumbai suburban section alone, 777 people have died while crossing tracks. Mr. Sharma said, “It is near impossible to monitor and police the entire stretch of railway lines. At some point people need to understand trespassing is a death wish.” The CR on Wednesday also released a public awareness short film on the dangers of trespassing with a message by actor Amitabh Bachchan.

Mr. Sharma said it not the responsibility of the Railways but the State government to provide ambulances at stations. He said, “We have been regularly writing to the State government to provide ambulances at stations. They have replied saying they can’t do so.”

Need for ambulances

The State government has provided ambulances only at 20 stations of the Central Railway. Mr. Sharma said that the Railways cannot work in isolation. He said, “Some people have expressed interest in providing ambulances through Corporate Social Responsibility.”