CHENNAI: A total of 623 people were killed and 256 others got injured, while trespassing railway track in Chennai and its adjoining districts till November this year. Concerned over the loss of numerous lives, the Chennai Division of the Southern Railway organised a walkathon at Marina Beach on Sunday morning to create an awareness of the dangers of trespassing among the general public.
Addressing the participants on the occasion, S Anantharaman, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai Division, said people are trespassing while talking over mobile phones and walking across the track with preoccupied mind. Pointing out that neglecting Foot Over Bridges (FOB) is another reason for trespassing, he said, “Fining trespassers is not the ultimate solution for the problem. Awareness must be created among the masses on the dangers involved in trespassing railway tracks.” Besides, vehicle drivers must be educated in this regard, he underlined.
On the unmanned level crossings, Anantharaman stated that 14 unmanned level crossings out of the 58 in Chennai Division would be manned this year. “We are providing Limited Use Subways in some place, paving the way for movement of vehicles,” he added.
S R Gandhi, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner, Chennai Division, said a month- long awareness drive on safety at unmanned level crossings and risks of trespassing railway track was carried out through several mediums including street play. Film actors Jeyam Ravi, Vijaykumar and Chinni Jayanth also participated. Meanwhile, a press release issued on the occasion stated that 759 were killed in trespassing railway track in 2010.
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