Pedestrians risk their lives by crossing rail tracks in city areas

To save a few minutes, residents cross railway tracks to reach the other side and sometimes, the act proves fatal, especially in the foggy weather conditions. Despite efforts by the authorities in this regard, the people do not mend their ways and keep on crossing the railway tracks.

Crossing of railway tracks is a punishable offence, still people pay no heed and risk their lives.

The Dhandhari and Sahnewal railway lines witnessed most of the accidents whereas in the urban areas, tracks near the Buddha Nullah claimed the majority of lives in mishaps.

The major points where rail tracks are being crossed in violation of the norms in the city are located near Gurdwara Dukhniwaran, Lakkar bridge, Loco Yard, Dholewal rail line and Millar Ganj. Inadequate arrangements to cross the rail lines are also forcing residents to take shortcuts that sometimes proves fatal for many. It’s not safe from the security point of view also.

However, most of the residents are unaware of rules and could not understand that the act can leave them in trouble. “Crossing railway lines instead of using foot overbridges is easy and saves time,” said a city resident, Neeraj Sood, while trying to cross the tracks near the city railway station.

He said he was not aware that crossing the tracks was an offence as all of his friends do the same. They take a shortcut from the place to reach their homes as using the foot overbridge takes extra time.