New Delhi: Two fatalities, including a woman, who were run over by trains in Delhi Cantonment and at Old Delhi Railway Station recently underscore the perils of crossing or standing on railway tracks. In the past two years, 1,259 people lost their lives after being struck by trains, with over 99% of these occurring when the individuals were crossing the train tracks.
According to Delhi Police, 634 bodies were found on railway tracks in 2023, with 628 deaths occurring while individuals were crossing the tracks and six deaths attributed to suicide. A similar toll was recorded last year, with 625 bodies discovered, of which 620 related to rail line crossing and five to suicides.
The Subzi Mandi Railway Station police station recorded the highest toll of lives with 137 fatalities due to track crossing in 2023 and 145 in 2024. An officer said that residents living in clusters or colonies near railway tracks frequently engaged in risky behaviour, crossing the tracks despite the dangers. “Even in areas where barbed wire fencing has been put up to prevent track crossing, people broke through the barrier and put their lives at risk,” he claimed.
The officer also noted that individuals with workplaces, such as factories, in close proximity to the tracks also consistently crossed the railway lines to save time. Children have also been observed to regularly cross the tracks in order to reach their homes or schools.
According to another officer, the absence of a boundary wall near the tracks was a significant contributing factor to the alarming number of fatalities due to run-overs. “When we apprehend individuals crossing the tracks, they invariably said their motivation was to take a shortcut,” the officer said.
The officer elaborated, “These individuals claim that taking the alternative route or using the pedestrian bridge would require them to walk several kilometres, which they find inconvenient. As a result, they opt for the riskier and more hazardous option of crossing the railway tracks, often with devastating consequences.”
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) launched an effort to curb trespassing on railway premises, registering 1,590 cases under Section 147 (trespass and refusal to desist from trespass) of the Railways Act between Jan and Nov last year. This crackdown on trespassers resulted in the apprehension of 1,584 individuals found to be endangering their own lives and the safety of others by illegally entering railway property. A total fine of Rs 2,95,890 was imposed on these offenders.
To curb the menace of crossing railway tracks, police have tried a multi-pronged approach. Regular awareness drives are being conducted through public announcements to educate people about the dangers and illegality of crossing the railway tracks. “In addition, RPF units also regularly patrol the tracks to prevent unwarranted incidents and ensure public safety. To further deter offenders, RPF is imposing penalties against those found violating the law. These measures aim to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and promote a safer environment for all,” a police officer said.
