The Chennai division of the Southern Railway has made the decision to enforce a Rs. 2,000 fine on people who are caught taking selfies on railway tracks or near locomotives. People caught travelling on footboards are also going to be punished with three months’ imprisonment or a fine of Rs. 500.
Why was this decision made?
The move was made as a response to an accident near Chengalpattu earlier this month where three youngsters standing on a railway track were run over by an express train while they were trying to make an Instagram reel.
A statement issued by Southern Railway pointed out that in this financial year, 1,411 trespassing cases and 767 footboard travelling cases were filed. Over 200 people died or were severely injured after falling from suburban trains. A minimum of 5-10 people are penalised every day for trespassing and taking selfies at locations in and around suburban stations, the statement stated.
Chennai divisions’ efforts to inform passengers
The Chennai division has decided to make frequent announcements through public address systems in trains and at stations to bring it to passengers’ attention that they are not allowed to travel on footboards. Special awareness campaigns are currently being planned and warning and display boards are also going to be placed in station areas.
RPF positioned in trains
The Railway Police Force (RPF) have been positioned in crowded local trains in order to identify footboard travellers, boarding or de-boarding moving trains, taking selfies and blocking the entry and exit of other passengers. The people who are found violating the norms will be prosecuted, the statement stated.
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