CR’s boundary plan along tracks derailed

The construction of a boundary wall along the Central Railway tracks which was proposed to prevent deaths has been rejected by the railway headquarters. This detail was revealed by a Right to Information (RTI) application sought by an activist.

The Central Railway Mumbai division had proposed to construct boundary walls along three sections each on the main line and harbour line. This plan was listed in the Central Railway work programme 2017-2018 and was proposed in July 2016. The total amount for constructing the boundary wall was approximately Rs 16 crore.

The RTI query filed by activist Samir Zaveri, revealed that there was a proposal to construct more than 6-foot-high wall made of Reinforced Concrete Cement (RCC) along various sections including between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM) to Kalyan, Kalyan to Karjat, Panvel to Vasai Road, Kalyan to Kasara, Sanpada to Airoli and Vashi to Panvel.

These walls are constructed on both sides of the tracks to prevent trespassing. The statistics from the Government Railway Police (GRP) revealed a total of 379 track deaths reported in 2016 on the main line and harbour line due to trespassing alone.

"The number of deaths due to trespassing is the highest number of common accidents occurring on the railway tracks today. Hence, building a boundary wall was the need of the hour," said Zaveri.

The RTI information also revealed that the proposal was approved by competent authority and the same was sent to the railway headquarters. However, the headquarters did not okay the proposal.

Higher officials from Central Railway said the headquarters usually prioritises the work to be carried on the Central Railway and the proposal is re-sent by the Mumbai division when the work is not approved by them.

"There were many proposals which were not approved for this year and construction of boundary walls was one of such works. Usually, the headquarters does not approve the work due to lack of funds. We will re-send the proposal since it is important that boundary walls are constructed to prevent trespassing," said D K Sharma, General Manager of Central Railways.