Title - 336 people fined in April for crossing railway tracks

PUNE: The railway administration took action against 336 people for trespassing on the railway tracks in a drive conducted at all prominent railway stations in Pune division in April. The authorities said the offenders were asked to pay a fine, and Rs 45,750 was collected from them. The offenders were given a warning not to repeat the offence and make sure that they use the foot-over-bridge (FOB) to cross the tracks next time.A railway official said action against illegal crossing of tracks will continue at all prominent stations in Pune division. The official said such drives are not aimed at imposing fines, but to warm passengers not to get involved in the dangerous task of crossing the tracks and put their lives in risk.The official said all prominent station in the division has FOBs. At Pune and Shivajinagar stations, there are two FOBs each at two ends. Passengers should make use of these FOBs to cross the tracks. During the drive, every day at least 10 to 12 people were caught walking on tracks, said the official.The railway administration has planned to construct an additional FOB at Pune station. The work is expected to commence in the current financial year.During the drive, the administration also registered 662 cases against illegal hawkers and people involved in pulling chain of trains and smoking in railway premises. A fine of Rs 200 was imposed in every case of smoking in railway premises. Action was initiated against the offenders under various sub-sections of the Railways Act. Fine of Rs 1.60 lakh was collected under these cases.

Besides this, the administration in last four months took action against 18 people who were involved in illegal sale of railway tickets at the railway station premises.