RPF staff monitor trains to ensure commuters’ safety
DOMBIVLI: Alarmed by the death of a youth who fell off a train on Friday, the Railway Police Force (RPF) in Dombivli has taken it upon itself to ensure passengers’ safety.. From Monday, it has started deploying around 10 of its personnel on railway platforms during peak hours.
The RPF personnel will make sure the 3.5 lakh daily commuters manage to board trains and that commuters do not block doors or stand on footboards if there is space inside. The train journey of Dombivli residents has become more dangerous and risky with an increase by 50,000 commuters in the past one year.
On Friday, 21-year-old Bhavesh Nakate, a resident of Dombivli, fell on the track between Kopar and Diva railway stations. Another commuter recorded the incident on his mobile phone and the clip went viral spreading concern about how residents travel.
“We started taking this step apart from our routine work. We need to spread safety awareness among commuters, who usually endanger their lives while travelling,” said a senior RPF officer.
A team of 10 officers deployed on Dombivli railway station platforms helps commuters board crowded trains by asking people not to block doors and dissuading commuters from leaning out of trains. “After a train pulls up at the station, we tell commuters in train not to block doors by standing on the footboard. We help commuters get in safely. If we see there is no space to stand, we tell passengers to board the next train,” said RS Bhor, an RPF officer.
“We have no option but to hold on to crowded train. Because even if we give one crowded train a miss, the others will be equally crowded,” said Sanjana Naik, 32, a resident of Dombivli who travels to Andheri every day.
The RPF officers in Dombivli will continue the drive for some time.
“Earlier, we had been helping the disabled to board trains. Now, we are looking after all commuters. The RPF officials will keep a track on the entire situation and will maintain a daily report. Based on this, we will plan further implementations. Commuters too should understand the importance of travelling safe,” said Bhor.
Lata Argade, vice-president of Railway Pravasi Mahasangh, said 10 policemen are not enough for the lakhs of commuters. “The only solution is to improve the frequency of trains and emphasise on automatic doors. The railways should have planned for the increase in commuters,” said Argade.
The only solution is to improve the frequency of trains and emphasise on automatic doors. The railways should have planned for the increase in commuters LATA ARGADE, vice-president, Railway Pravasi Mahasangh