28k fined for crossing rail tracks

28k fined for crossing rail tracks

PUNE: The Pune railway division booked 28,332 people for trespassing and illegal crossing of rail tracks between January 1 and June 30 this year and collected a fine of Rs 38.01 lakh from them.

In the corresponding period last year, a total of 27,086 people were fined Rs 35.97 lakh, a railway official said, adding that many people have lost their lives because of trespassing on tracks.

The official said it is an offence to even walk along the rail tracks. The stipulated fine for the offence is Rs 1,000 and/or imprisonment up to six months. "People should immediately alert railway employees, officials or the police if they find any person lurking in a suspicious manner along the tracks."

The railways have expressed serious concern over the increasing number of trespassers, saying that people cross the tracks from any place. Moreover, people using earphones or talking on mobile phones while crossing the tracks has become common practice. In many instances, the trespassers are unable to hear the sound of horns from engines and meet with accidents.

The official said that passengers should not touch any unknown or unclaimed objects such as bags, watches and mobiles on platforms and in trains.

Source : TOI