Commuters continue to cross tracks

Despite awareness and caution campaigns by the railway authorities, commuters continue to risk their lives and limbs by crossing tracks at railway stations.

The dangerous trend seems to have intensified at the Bhayandar railway station, ever since the staircase of the Foot Over Bridge (FoB) which served as an exit to platform number one has been demolished last week apparently due to the ongoing work undertaken towards the Virar-end of the bridge.

Despite the presence of alternatives in the form of two more FoBs, a huge number of commuters have been opting to reach the other side of the station by crossing the railway tracks.

While some commuters claimed ignorance about the alternatives, the railway authorities claimed to have installed a small board informing about the ongoing work and available traversing options.

In order to deter commuters from crossing tracks, the railway authorities should broadcast messages in this context on its Public Announcement System, ob- served a regular commuter.

When contacted for their version on preventive steps and awareness, the unidentified personnel who attended the landline call at the station master’s office on Wednesday afternoon chose to hang up without giving any proper answers.

Under section of 147 of Indian Railways Act, trespassing across railway tracks is punishable offence with a penalty of imprisonment and monetary fine.

The dangerous trend seems to have intensified at Bhayandar railway station, ever since the staircase of one FoB has been demolished for maintenence work