Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad railway division has reported an alarming 23% increase in incidents of passengers falling from running trains during the first 10 months of 2024 compared to 2023. Official data revealed 21 such cases between Jan and Oct, already surpassing last year's total of 17 incidents.
The statistics, presented during a recent railway officials' meeting, highlight a concerning upward trend in railway-related accidents. Platform gap incidents have reached eight cases this year, following 12 cases in 2023 and four in 2022. Trespassing cases, which rose from 100 in 2022 to 112 in 2023, stand at 88 for the current year until Oct.
In response to these safety concerns, the railway board has established joint committees at zonal and divisional levels to analyse and prevent accidents. These committees conduct quarterly reviews of incidents involving track crossing, falling from moving trains, and platform gap accidents so that necessary steps can be taken to prevent them.
The joint committees conduct a detailed analysis of unexpected incidents in various railway zones and divisions every quarter. Recently, a similar analysis was carried out for the Ahmedabad division.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has intensified public awareness campaigns through regular announcements at stations and on trains, warning passengers against boarding moving trains and highlighting platform gap dangers.
Also, boundary walls are being constructed in accident-prone areas to prevent unauthorised track crossing. Additionally, during the meeting, suggestions were made to install CCTV, alarm systems and warning boards across various locations in the Ahmedabad division.