Title - Post-mishap, railways on warning mode

Shaken by the train tragedy in Bihar in which 37 pilgrims were mowed to death by the Rajya Rani Express in Khagaria district on Monday, the railways has issued special orders to all stations across the country to alert the public on the dangers of crossing rail tracks. Both Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad Divisional Railway Managers have directed all station masters in their respective divisions to repeatedly play announcements on public safety at the stations. They have been told to take strict action against passengers found sitting on footboards and those who get down before the train halts at the station. Announcements advising people to use foot overbridge, instead of crossing railway tracks, should be played, the order said. Commercial staff have been told to ensure that doors on the off-side of the train where there will be no platforms should remain closed all the time. Passengers are requested to alight only at the platforms and are supposed to use the foot overbridge of the trolley path. The announcements will continue so as to educate the public on the dangers of not using the proper routes. Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Manager Rajesh Agarwal said the division has already been ensuring that such incidents don’t take place. “For this, special drives are being conducted. We have given strict orders to the station masters to play the announcements several times. If any untoward incident takes place, it is the responsibility of the station masters. Strict action will be taken against them if they fail to follow the orders,” he said. Announcements warning ticketless travellers and season ticket holders from entering reserved coaches are also being made.