Railway jaywalkers call for 'protected pathways'
The railway tracks in Colombo have become a convenient 'footpath' for many workers whose places of employment lie in close proximity to railway stations. The majority of these persons are middle grade working class persons and teenagers who for the sake of convenience, risk their lives by using the rail tracks. It has been noticed that pedestrians also tend to use the yellow crossings on highways risking life and limb.
Quite often groups of workers or teens can be seen chatting as they walk along the lines or deeply engrossed in conversation on their cell phones, blissfully oblivious to the danger they are exposing themselves.
The tracks adjacent to the Slave Island railway station is a case in point where many passengers use the track as a convenient footpath to reach the Wekanda Office Complex which abuts the station.
A common excuse used by employees who break the law through this illegal use of the tracks, is that it shortens an otherwise longer walk to reach their work places.
They now suggest that the government and private sector companies provide them a protected pathway to help them reach their destination.
A passenger from Moratuwa said 'private sector workers have to rush to get to their work places in time as they are not offered a grace period; as such they are forced to take this option.
Though passengers are detained by the railway authorities for ticketless travel, those using the tracks as walkways are seldom taken to task.
Our pictures show large numbers of commuters walking along the railway tracks. It is time both the police and the Railway authorities crack down on this practice.