Cases of people falling off trains high in Pune rail division; activists call for better prevention measures

Time of India

2 days ago

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Pune: Awareness campaigns, monitoring and public announcements on the dangers of trying to board or get off moving trains are all measures that don't seem to be working in the Pune rail division.
While 107 cases of people falling from trains were recorded last year in the division, this time, the figure has already reached 51 between Jan and May.
On Monday, eight commuters fell off two local trains moving in opposite directions at Mumbra railway station in Mumbai, resulting in four deaths.
Now, daily commuters and activists are saying new steps need to be taken to control this menace rather than relying on the old ways.
Priyanka Sharma, the divisional security commissioner with the Pune's Railway Protection Force (RPF), told TOI on Tuesday, "We are launching a drive under section 156 of the Railways Act and an awareness campaign in this division to control the problem."
But another senior official, when asked about whether there were any new plans to control the problem, said, "We don't have any official confirmation yet on the same."
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As per section 156 of the Railways Act, if a person rides on parts of a train where passengers aren't supposed to be, like roofs, steps or the engine, even after railway workers tell them to stop, they face imprisonment of up to three months, a fine of up to Rs500, or both.
Commenting on the Mumbra incident, Hemant Kumar Behera, divisional commercial manager and public relations officer with the Pune rail division, told TOI, "In Pune, a person falling off from trains due to overcrowding is rare.
There are 42 local trains running between Pune and Lonavla and the average load factor rests at around 75%. However, in the Pune division, such incidents mainly happen when people try to board or get off a moving train.
"
He added, "The RPF personnel do keep monitoring the situation and continue patrolling. People are also alerted about the dangers via public announcements at stations, besides regular awareness campaigns."
In 2024, 35 people died and 72 sustained injuries in 107 such incidents. This year until May, the total deaths stood at 14 and injuries stood at 37 in 51 total incidents.
"The figures this year are already at almost half the number in 2024. This clearly shows that the techniques used by the officials are not enough. There are a high number of alarm chain pulling and track trespassing incidents in Pune division, too," a source in the railways told TOI, requesting anonymity.
In 2024, Pune rail division recorded a total of 368 track trespassing incidents, which resulted in the deaths of 318 people. The figure in 2023 rested at 322 incidents resulting in 286 deaths. When it comes to alarm chain pulling, 2024 recorded 1,580 incidents in Pune division, compared to 1,121 in 2023.
Nikhil Kachi, a former member of the divisional railway users' consultative committee (DRUCC) said, "Are the preventive steps really being taken at the ground level? A drive or two won't solve the problem.
A new approach is needed taking the help of best practices from railways of different countries."
Vikas Deshpande, a railway activist and secretary of Daund-Pune-Daund Pravasi Sangh, agreed that a fresh approach is needed. "All local trains need to have automated doors and anti-slipping flooring. A lot is talked about drones and AI and the same can be used towards controlling and monitoring. There needs to be a way to limit the crowd on platforms.
The railways need to think proactively on the same lines," he told TOI.
Pune: Awareness campaigns, monitoring and public announcements on the dangers of trying to board or get off moving trains are all measures that don't seem to be working in the Pune rail division.
While 107 cases of people falling from trains were recorded last year in the division, this time, the figure has already reached 51 between Jan and May.
On Monday, eight commuters fell off two local trains moving in opposite directions at Mumbra railway station in Mumbai, resulting in four deaths.
Now, daily commuters and activists are saying new steps need to be taken to control this menace rather than relying on the old ways.
Priyanka Sharma, the divisional security commissioner with the Pune's Railway Protection Force (RPF), told TOI on Tuesday, "We are launching a drive under section 156 of the Railways Act and an awareness campaign in this division to control the problem."
But another senior official, when asked about whether there were any new plans to control the problem, said, "We don't have any official confirmation yet on the same."
As per section 156 of the Railways Act, if a person rides on parts of a train where passengers aren't supposed to be, like roofs, steps or the engine, even after railway workers tell them to stop, they face imprisonment of up to three months, a fine of up to Rs500, or both.
Commenting on the Mumbra incident, Hemant Kumar Behera, divisional commercial manager and public relations officer with the Pune rail division, told TOI, "In Pune, a person falling off from trains due to overcrowding is rare.
There are 42 local trains running between Pune and Lonavla and the average load factor rests at around 75%. However, in the Pune division, such incidents mainly happen when people try to board or get off a moving train.
"
He added, "The RPF personnel do keep monitoring the situation and continue patrolling. People are also alerted about the dangers via public announcements at stations, besides regular awareness campaigns."
In 2024, 35 people died and 72 sustained injuries in 107 such incidents. This year until May, the total deaths stood at 14 and injuries stood at 37 in 51 total incidents.
"The figures this year are already at almost half the number in 2024. This clearly shows that the techniques used by the officials are not enough. There are a high number of alarm chain pulling and track trespassing incidents in Pune division, too," a source in the railways told TOI, requesting anonymity.
In 2024, Pune rail division recorded a total of 368 track trespassing incidents, which resulted in the deaths of 318 people. The figure in 2023 rested at 322 incidents resulting in 286 deaths. When it comes to alarm chain pulling, 2024 recorded 1,580 incidents in Pune division, compared to 1,121 in 2023.
Nikhil Kachi, a former member of the divisional railway users' consultative committee (DRUCC) said, "Are the preventive steps really being taken at the ground level? A drive or two won't solve the problem.
A new approach is needed taking the help of best practices from railways of different countries."
Vikas Deshpande, a railway activist and secretary of Daund-Pune-Daund Pravasi Sangh, agreed that a fresh approach is needed. "All local trains need to have automated doors and anti-slipping flooring. A lot is talked about drones and AI and the same can be used towards controlling and monitoring. There needs to be a way to limit the crowd on platforms. The railways need to think proactively on the same lines," he told TOI.