Danger near tracks: water-balloons from slums,aimed at women

Recently,when a train was just outside platform-1 of the Bandra station,a woman near the footboard was hit by a balloon. Ironically,most of the women choose not to lodge any complaint with the Railway police. Railway police say that in spite of police arrangements,children living in slums near the tracks have been creating nuisance. They say it could be brought under control if a fence is erected by Western Railway.

On April 9,when the Borivali train was just about to enter platform-1,a balloon hit a college girl standing near the footboard. “The balloon hit the hand of the girl and dirty water inside the balloon got sprinkled on other women,including me. I am not a regular commuter. I came to know from college girls that it was a routine affair. Whenever the train passes these hutments,children throw balloons at the girls,’’ said Greta Tauro,a resident of Bandra.

A college girl,Padmini Gerg (name changed) told Newsline,“I am a resident of Bandra. Before Bandra station,I have to come near the footboard to alight. I always remain careful and stand to one side. I noticed that within a month,10 cases of balloons being thrown at commuters have taken place in this area. But the women do not lodge complaints with the Railway police.’’

Reena Waghel (name changed),a friend of Padmini,said,“As we are college students,our parents do not want us to go to police stations to lodge complaints as it will disturb our studies.’’ Cases of stone throwing are registered under Section 152 of the Indian Railways Act. Balloon throwing is not a separate category and comes under the same Section.

Ashok Survegandh,Senior Police Inspector,Bandra Railway police,says,“Such nuisance occurs because of slums near the tracks. We have made police arrangements on the tracks. Recently,police caught around 20 minors for hitting commuters and collecting mobilephones that fall from the hands of shocked commuters. But the problem may be solved if a wall or fence is constructed along the tracks.’’

“I have written thrice to Divisional Railway Manager,WR,to construct a wall or fencing along the tracks so that these elements do not get easy access to the tracks. On April 15,I wrote another letter to the DRM on the issue.’’