Says train accident victim whose life was saved by a quick call to new GRP helpline; calls to the number saved 34 lives last month
Says train accident victim whose life was saved by a quick call to new GRP helpline; calls to the number saved 34 lives last month
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LUCKY: Raju Shah fell into the gap between the platform and the train at Borivli station on December 3. He lost two fingers on his right hand and injured his right ankle. PIC/PRADEEP DHIVAR |
Raju Shah (31) is lucky to be alive. He says he owes his life to the Government Railway Police's (GRP) new helpline number 9833331111. Shah is one of the 34 victims of train accidents who were saved in December 2008 by the new helpline.
On December 3, Shah, who works at Palghar, fell into the gap between the platform and the train at Borivli station. He lost two fingers on his right hand and injured his right ankle. Commuter Jayesh Sanghvi saw Shah lying on the tracks and called the helpline, making it possible for the GRP to act immediately.
"Shah was lying near platform number 4. The GRP officials rushed him to Bhagwati Hospital," said Sanghvi. Shah, also a regular commuter, added, "I am very grateful to Sanghvi for calling the helpline and to the GRP for the immediate help."
Since OctoberThe GRP helpline number, which was launched in October 2008 for commuters to call in case of any problems or accidents, has since saved many lives. On the day of its launch, the helpline received 610 calls out of which 49 calls were attended to immediately.
Rajendra Nikam, GRP inspector, who controls the helpline room, said, "The aim of our helpline is to help commuters while travelling. In December, we received 34 calls from commuters informing us of train accident victims who needed immediate help. We informed the nearest railway police station and our men rushed to the site."
Other calls
These 34 accident cases were among the 342 actionable calls out of 17,792 total calls received from the Mumbai division.
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The other actionable cases involved men entering ladies compartments, fights and other petty issues, each of which needed police attention. FIRs were filed in these cases.
Yearly statistics
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
| Injured |
4,133 |
4,307 |
4,030 |
| Death |
3,933 |
3,997 |
3,782 |
7
The average number of deaths due to train accidents in Mumbai per day
How it works
An attendant at the Wadi Bunder control room attends the call and coordinates with the nearest railway police station if immediate action is required. Railways authorities have been provided with facilities to help accident victims. 'Each station has two stretchers, while major stations have more. We also have tie-ups with ambulance services,' said a railway official.
In case of non-availability of an ambulance, the GRP officials take the victim to a hospital in public transport. A case is registered after the victim is given first aid.
Forty mobile phones have been allotted to GRP constables, who are posted at important stations like CST, Kurla, Thane, Dadar. They also patrol stations that do not have a police station.
