‘Divine’ warning to deter commuters from boarding running trains

Theatre artistes dressed as Yamaraj will counsel those who risk life and limb at Churchgate station

Theatre artistes playing Yamaraja, the Hindu god of death, clad in black dhoti, gold ornaments and headgear, will soon be seen counselling commuters at Churchgate station on the perils of boarding or alighting running trains.
As part of a Western Railway (WR) social awareness campaign to prevent commuters from risking life and limb on the suburban railway system, cut-outs and posters of Yamaraja with cautionary messages will also be on display at the station.

The drive, which will start at Churchgate from Thursday, will be extended to all major railway stations in the coming days.

The ‘Yamaraja’ will approach commuters who are seen attempting to board running trains or alighting moving trains and warn them about risking their lives.

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“Commuters are aware of the dangers of boarding running trains but are causal about it. Despite the availability of a train every three minutes, it is common to see commuters run and board moving trains,” said Sharat Chandrayan, Chief Public Relations Officer, WR. “We do not want to scare commuters, but it is important that they realise that they are inviting death by boarding running trains,” he added.

The drive is being carried out in two steps. Print and radio advertisements are being used to target commuters in the morning hours and the Yamaraja concept will further reinforce the dangers of boarding moving trains. “The two step campaign is aimed at having a deeper impact on commuters,” said the spokesperson.

Edelweiss Tokio will assist WR in the drive as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility. WR plans to use similar campaigns against roof top travel, stunts and trespassing in near future.

The campaign comes in the wake of a incidents in which commuters were injured or killed while trying to board running trains this month. On January 17, Zia-rul-amin-uddin Shaikh (21) died after he fell into the gap when boarding a running train at Andheri station. On January 11, Monika More (16) lost her hands in a similar incident at Ghatkopar station.

priyal.dave@expressindia.com

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