Title - Railways to launch drive to curb recurring mishaps

With back to back tragedies occurring at several unmanned level crossings, the Thiruvananthapuram division of the Southern Railways is gearing up for a slew of awareness campaigns from October 10.The Railway officials said that the campaign will begin at Cherthala. Street plays, dramas and classes underlining the dangers lurking at unmanned level crossings will be part of the programme that will take place at the Cherthala bus stop and railway station. The drama club will reach Guruvayur section on October 11, Ernakulam-Kottayam stretch on October 12, Kayamkulam-Thottapally stretch on 13th, Haripad-Cheppad stretch on 14th, Chengannur on   15th and Kanyakumari on 17th and 18. “We have noticed that people are very careless when it comes to crossing the railway tracks. In the last two weeks alone, we have booked 50 trespassers in the division as part of our surprise checks at the major locations. People are not bothered about safety that they use all methods available to cross the railway tracks,” the official said.He added that the Railways were planning to take strict legal action against all the trespassers. “Till now, the Thiruvananthapuram   division has not taken strict action against those who breach the rules. However, we do not intend to be lenient to such offenders as per Section 131 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, and Section 161 of the Indian Railways Act,” he added.

In a survey conducted by the state police, the number of cases booked for vehicles ramming into manned level crossings were 51 in 2011-12. “Most of the cases, as per the police reports, were caused due to intoxication. The campaigns will also focus on avoiding liquor during driving,” he added.