Title - 70 commuters booked for rooftop travel, stunts on Central Railway

MUMBAI: Seventy commuters were booked for rooftop travel and for performing stunts by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) on the Central line on Monday. The RPF has renewed its drive against commuters travelling dangerously after three persons were electrocuted in separate instances on the harbour line in May. While 22 offenders were nabbed as part of the drive on Saturday, none were apprehended on Sunday.
"We have also flagged off an awareness campaign against rooftop travel on the harbour line," said Alok Bohra, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF (CR). "Maximum such instances are reported in the stretch between Chunabhatti and CST being chronic. Many cases are also reported in the Chembur, Wadala and Govandi sections." Officials said 1404 cases of rooftop travel and stunts were recorded between January to May in 2011. The figure has soared to 1904 cases in the corresponding period this year.

RPF officials, wearing civvies, travel with commuters right since morning. Where the offenders comprise children, their parents are summoned by the RPF. "We want to create awareness among commuters that rooftop travelling and stunts are risky, an offence under the law and also affect railway services," Bohra added. The RPF has already begun lectures at schools to create awareness amongst youngsters and deter them from resorting to rooftop travel or performing stunts.