12 June,2024 06:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Safety boxes that have been set up at various stations on CR’s suburban line
Red safety boxes set up at the ends of platforms at key Central Railway (CR) railway stations in Mumbai are saving thousands of lives every day as they make it difficult for anyone to jump off and trespass on the tracks. The idea, which was implemented by the Mumbai division at the start of the year, seems to have clicked. CR had previously greased the ends of platforms to deter trespassers, but the measure drew flak.
Safety boxes that have been set up at various stations on Central Railway's suburban section
As per a study carried out by CR, there used to be 286 slopes at the ends of platforms on the suburban section and 90 per cent of them have been demolished. As per official statistics, trespassing-related incidents and deaths have dropped from 276 between January and March 2023 to 195 during the same period in 2024.
CR Mumbai has been running a focussed campaign after conducting a study of stations such as Kurla, Thane, Wadala and Govandi where trespassing numbers have been higher and then cutting down slopes at the ends of these stations and sinking in safety boxes to discourage trespassers.
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"It has discouraged mostly women passengers, senior citizens and those carrying heavy luggage who cannot jump from the sides of platforms, which are quite deep. The ends of platforms had been common jumping spots since they were being levelled up, creating a slope for easy access. The boxes now make such activities difficult as they are at the edge and dug deeper," an official said.
Last year, in November, in a bid to discourage commuters from jumping onto rail tracks, CR Mumbai division had come up with the idea of applying grease at platform ends to make it difficult to climb and descend from platform edges. But this measure posed a risk for gangmen who work on the tracks. Moreover, the grease tended to get dry owing to the sun and humidity. The red safety box trick seems to be working well so far.
Nandkumar Deshmukh, president of the Federation of Suburban Passengers' Association, said it was a welcome move. "Any attempt to save precious lives is always welcome on the crowded Mumbai suburban railway system. We keep on stressing this fact during our several meetings and representations," he said.
