Rising train accidents; trespassing continues on tracks despite advisories

SHAKEELA ANDRABI

SRINAGAR: A youth died after being hit by a moving train in Pattan Bambray rail section in Baramulla district on Monday, taking the number of deaths due to train accidens in last four months across Kashmir to 7.
As per officials, deceased person identified as 40-years-old Mohd Akbar Ganai, a resident of Chander Hamma Pattan, was crossing railway track when he got hit by a train. He was shifted to the hospital where doctors declared him as brought dead. The officials said that body of deceased was handed-over to family after medico-legal formalities. It may be mentioned that Tuesday’s rail accident is the 4th such incident happed in less than two weeks in Kashmir.
Earlier on February 24, an elderly man was killed after getting hit by a train on Budgam -Srinagar Section. Officials said that the person, identified as Sonauallah Bhat, a resident of Lajoora Pulwama was a retired school teacher and got hit by a train resulting in his on spot death.
On Feb 10, 2023 train crushed a man to death in Central Kashmir, between Srinagar -Budgamsection at Mazhama. According to the police, identity of deceased is not known yet. Later officials said the body of a person was found on a railway track. After 3 days on Feb 13, an elderly man allegedly attempted to commit suicide by jumping in front of a moving train and lost both his legs, officials said.
A railway official, confirming the incident said, an elderly man allegedly tried to commit suicide when he jumped in front of a moving train at Sadora area and lost both his legs. He said that victim, identified as Mohammad Ashraf Itoo of a Gopalpora Mattan, was referred to Srinagar for specialised treatment where he died.
Last year, on November 15, 2022 an unidentified man hit by train in Central Kashmir Budgam district at Mazhama -Budgam rail section resulting in his instant death.
On November 1, 2022, a mentally unsound man has loses both feet in train accident in central Kashmir. He was identified as 32 year old Nazir Ahmed Dar, resident of Arampur Sopore.
Following the train accidents, Northern Railways, Kashmir has issued advisories in public interest. “Trespassing across railway tracks is a punishable offence. Under section of 147 of Indian Railways Act, trespassing across railway tracks is punishable offence with a penalty of imprisonment upto 6 months and or fine uptoRs 1000. Cross only by using Foot Over Bridges/Subways” the advisory stated. Chief Area Manager, Kashmir said that efforts were being made to create awareness among train drivers so that they ‘make use of long whistling in critical sections such as Budgam and Srinagar’.
“We urge people not to walk on railway track. We are getting to see that people use earphones and walk on tracks, which is quite fatal,” said official With four accidents caused by moving trains in Srinagar-Budgam stretch in February alone, the Railways have urged general public to not move around on railway tracks.