Pune: The Pune railway division is campaigning against trespassing of tracks and penalising people as per the rule. However, the railways has found eight black spots, where most trespassing and deaths happened. The most dangerous black spot was found between the Dapodi to Akurdi stations, where people cross the railway line.
However, senior officials claimed that they are identifying locations prone to trespassing and plugging them. People living in nearby areas are finding new ways to cross them.
“We have also taken action against trespassers continuously. The offenders are penalised and being produced in the court. Action is being taken under the Railway Act. We have been carrying out a sustained campaign against trespassing for over a year. People are being informed about several tragedies,” said Pune railway division spokesperson Manoj Jhawar.
According to Section 144 of the Railway Act, trespassing of railway tracks is a punishable offence with imprisonment up to 6 months and or a fine up to Rs 1,000.
However, the railways has identified the black spots, including Chinchwad-Akurdi section, Pimpri-Chinchwad section, Khadki-Dapodi section, Vadgaon-Kamshet section, Talegaon railway station, Sangam Bridge-Wadia College section, Ghorpadi-Saswad section and Dapodi-Kasarwadi section.
As per information shared by railways, from January to October 2019, 6,000 people were arrested and prosecuted. Out of these, 26 were sent to jail. As many as 272 died due to crossing track. The railways has collected Rs 6.65 lakh as fine. In the same period last year, 5,600 trespassers were arrested and prosecuted. Out of these, 15 were sent to jail and 308 died. Railways has collected Rs 6.03 lakh fine.
