RPF penalises over 27K for trespassing rly tracks
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Western Railway (WR) booked over 2,7000 offenders for crossing railway tracks and realised fine of over Rs 50 lakh from them in 2021. "Apart from penalising the offenders, regular programmes are held to educate the passengers about the risk of crossing track. People cross the tracks risking their lives to save time," said an official, adding that trespassing is a punishable offence under the Railway Act.
The RPF had stepped up actions against trespassers under Section 147 of the Railway Act, apart from undertaking awareness measures like announcements from the public address system. “Railway officials and RPF staff regularly visit the slums and colonies, which spring up on the railway lands close to the tracks to raise awareness, but violators pose constant challenges,” said a WR official.
"If a person is found crossing railway tracks, it is a punishable offence with imprisonment of six months, or fine of Rs 1,000 or both," said an RPF official of WR. "Trespassing-related incidents not lead to mishaps but also hit the train
operations badly as local trains get delayed. This further leads to bunching of trains, and the resultant delays lead to overcrowding trains," said a senior WR official, adding that people must use foot overbridges (FOBs) or subways. However, violators choose the shortcut --jump on the tracks---- inviting accidents, the official said.
Most of the trespassing cases occur near railway platforms, yards, peripheries and at level crossings. Moreover, densely populated residential colonies and slums along the tracks also become a major headache for railway officials.
Asked about the measures taken by railway, a senior official said , "Intensive awareness campaigns are being carried out by the RPF personnel at stations, schools, vulnerable locations and slums against crossing the railway tracks. Banners have been displayed to caution against trespassing.