Most victims die during golden hour

NAVI MUMBAI: At a time when railway officials are promising more ambulances at the stations in Navi Mumbai, scores of people are dying not receiving treatment during the golden hour.

“If someone is hit by a run- ning train between two stations, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to take the person to a hospital. If the victim is critically injured, we have to shift him or her to a hospital in Vashi. Those who don’t receive treatment during golden hours die on the way. Therefore it is necessary to have an ambulance at all stations and at all times,” said an official from Panvel railway station.

Around 50% of the victims in Panvel area are beggars and labourers. “To get rid of the menace of beggars, the railway police in Mumbai send them towards Navi Mumbai in local trains. As the trains do not go beyond Panvel, these people get down here and keep roaming in the area. Many of them die while crossing the tracks,” he said. AK Singh, public relations officer, Central Railway said, “We have asked the station masters to hire people for carry the victims and we release the funds as soon as we receive their bills.”