No lessons learnt from tragedy on rail tracks

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 23

Despite the tragic incident occurred near Joda Phatak in Amritsar, residents are violating the norms laid by the government. Trespassing at railway crossings is going on unabated. People are jumping-off barricades in the presence of guards. Passengers cross rail tracks when trains are approaching.

Though trespassing on the tracks is a regular practice at major locations, only 930 cases had been registered against trespassers. Preventing over 250 students from crossing the railway tracks near Kazi Mandi today, RPF inspector Pawan Kumar said due to the crunch of police personnel, sometimes it becomes tough to keep a watch on violators.

As per the figures of the GRP , 230 deaths have occurred in the Doaba region since January and 148 deaths were reported during the first four months of the year due to trespassing on rail tracks. “Several cases have also been registered under Sections 154 and 164 of the IPC against those who violated rules,” he added.

An officer from the Firozpur Divisional headquarters said in the first quarter of the year, 65 cases were registered against trespassers, of which 47 violators were held. Inspector Mukesh Kumar said 5,500 cases of trespassing were registered in the Ferozepur Division. The RPF keeps a vigil at various crossing points on a regular basis. “But sometimes it becomes tough, hence, people have also been told to keep a check at crossings.”

A guard at the Suranussi rail crossing, said: “People ignore rules and cross rail lines when trains are approaching in the absence of RPF personnel. Addicts often come on tracks for consuming intoxicants.”

Pooja Sharma, a resident of the city, said: “It’s a regular phenomena that people risk their lives while crossing unmanned rail tracks despite warnings. Officials should be deployed at major locations to curb the practice.”