Pune: Govt Railway Police (GRP) has identified 10 critical spots across six districts of Western Maharashtra where people have repeatedly died after being hit by trains.Superintendent of Police, GRP, Rajkumar Shinde said, “We have considered locations with two or more deaths to identify as a critical hotspots. These 10 spots are located near Pune, Chinchwad, Kasarwadi, Akurdi, Lonavla, Ahilyanagar, Kolhapur, Pandharpur, Solapur and Miraj railway stations.GRP, Pune, and Central Railway authorities are now jointly working on a programme to reduce fatalities at these 10 spots. “Our teams visited these spots and tried to find a solution for each so as deaths can be averted,” Shinde said.Every year, around 600 people die on railway tracks after being hit by trains in these six districts. All the deaths are registered as accidental deaths. Some of these are incidents of suicide. Shinde said the teams which visited these spots have suggested multiple avenues to look at. “These include construction of compound walls or iron mesh fencing around the locations. Foot overbridges and installation of a public address systems to guide the public. Closure of illegal entry and exit points at railway stations, people use to cut off their commute time. We need to channel the movement of people visiting the stations and adjacent areas, including managing crowds at stations. Deployment of manpower at critical spots from where people walk towards the railway tracks. Curbing trespassing on railway properties, and various other measures.”“Additionally these measures could reduce theft of property at railway stations, on tracks and from moving trains. It will help reduce incidents of stone-pelting and vandalism of railway property, lower the chances of sabotage, and most importantly increase the safety of railway passengers. We are checking what all could be implemented and how,” Shinde added.
