Track crossing top killer in Mumbai division of CR

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced people to stay home and stay put. But even though limited trains were running, there were uptick in deaths on the railway tracks. The Mumbai division of Central Railway (CR) recorded 700 deaths in 2020. Total of 139 people were also injured. According to an official from Railway Protection Force (RPF), Mumbai, in 2019-2020, total of 1,763 people were killed and 1,800 injured in railway accidents. "Considering the pandemic situation, the railway services were non-functional during the initial days of lockdown, however, since it has began, it was functional with limited services with restrictions for particular group of passengers. In 2020, maximum track accidents have been noted in Mumbai division of CR," said RPF official. "While in 2019-2020, total of 1,763 accidental deaths have been reported, 1,800 were seriously injured in railway accidents under Mumbai division of CR. Among these accidents, maximum mishaps have been recorded between Thane and Mumbra stretch near Kharegaon and Parsik Hill area, which comes under the Thane RPF. Hence, considering these figures, we are regularly carrying out awareness campaigns among the passengers to curb such accidents," said PB Singh, senior police inspector, Thane RPF. According to the railway official, most of the accidents took place while crossing the railway tracks.” "Considering the increase in the accidents, in the last 6 months, the CR has carried out awareness campaigns for around 36 times to curb the accidents," informed a railway official.