Title - Railways to take action against track trespassing

PUNE: The railway administration has appealed to passengers to make use of foot over bridges to cross rail tracks to avoid any mishaps. Officials have said that the administration was initiating strict action against trespassing on tracks.

Railway officials said, "As many as 140 people died in Pune division while crossing the tracks in an illegal manner, between January 1 and April 30. About 8 were seriously injured. The number of mishaps increased this year, as compared to previous years. About 117 people had died in 2012 during the same period."

Officials said that many steps have been initiated to create awareness among the passengers and visitors at the stations. The staff deployed at stations, has been making continuous announcements to make use of foot over bridges, instead of crossing tracks, which is a dangerous and illegal act.

The officials said that footbridges have been constructed at all prominent stations, in fact, some stations have two or more bridges depending on passenger load.

An official at the Pune railway station said that one additional bridge was being installed between platform number one, two and three at the Daund end to assist passengers entering from the main gate to reach platforms two and three. Work on this bridge was expected to begin by next month, said the official.