The Central Railway in Mumbai has reported a significant decrease in the number of deaths and injuries on its tracks from January to October. The fatalities due to accidents on the railway tracks have gone down by 14 per cent, dropping from 2,755 cases in 2023 to 2,388 cases in 2024. This decrease is attributed to the effective safety initiatives implemented by the Central Railway.
In addition to the reduction in fatalities, injuries have also seen a notable decrease of 10 per cent, falling from 1,352 cases to 1,211 cases in the same period. The total incidents of death and injury combined have decreased by 508 cases, representing a 13 per cent reduction from 4,107 cases in 2023 to 3,599 cases in 2024.
Trespassing remains a major contributor to these incidents, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of all cases. Out of the 2,388 deaths recorded on the tracks, 1,210 were attributed to trespassing, making up more than 50 per cent of the fatalities. Incidents of trespassing not only lead to loss of life but also result in serious injuries, with approximately 18 per cent of cases involving limb loss.
Other causes of deaths and injuries include falling from moving trains, falling into the gap between the platform and train, and various other causes such as suicides, electric shocks, and natural causes like heart attacks and illness.
To address these issues, Central Railway has implemented a series of short-term and long-term safety measures. Short-term plans include deploying Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel at critical black spots, constructing boundary walls in trespass-prone areas, removing encroachments along railway boundaries, and raising awareness through programs and enforcement of punitive actions.
Long-term plans involve widening platforms, constructing new platforms, building foot over bridges and subways, upgrading non-AC suburban trains to AC local services, installing escalators and lifts, and influencing passenger behavior through media campaigns. Central Railway is also actively engaging with the community through awareness initiatives like distributing pamphlets, educational banners, and street plays to highlight the dangers of trespassing.
Overall, the efforts of Central Railway have led to a significant improvement in safety on the railway tracks in Mumbai, with a decrease in fatalities and injuries. By continuing to implement these safety measures and engage with the community, Central Railway aims to further reduce accidents and ensure the well-being of passengers and pedestrians on its network.
