3 min readMumbaiSep 18, 2014 12:47 AM IST
First published on: Sep 18, 2014 at 12:43 AM IST
In August, the CR had put 14 stretchers in seven locals to help carry train accident victims.
Even as the mystery behind the missing stretchers insatlled in luggage compartments of local trains by Central Railway (CR) continues, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has succeeded in recovering two of the 11 allegedly stolen items. According to RPF sources, the two stretchers were recovered near railway tracks at Byculla and Kalyan a few days ago.
“One of the stretchers was damaged,” said an officer. According to RPF sources, one stretcher was found near Parcel office at Kalyan station on August 28 in an abominable condition. The other, relatively in a better condition, was found near railway tracks at Byculla on September 10.
In August, the CR had put 14 stretchers in seven local trains to help carry victims in case of accidents. However, soon after, 11 of the 14 stretchers were reported missing, with authorities alleging that they were stolen. The stretchers were put in the luggage compartment, after a suggestion from relatives of deceased Dhaval Lodaya (18), who died in a derailment accident on March 20. His kin had alleged that the railways failed to provide timely medical assistance, including carrying Lodaya to the hospital.
With 11 stretchers allegedly stolen, the CR administration fears a big gang at work and now plans to cancel the proposal to put stretchers in trains in future. Soon after the initial thefts, the RPF formed special teams to locate the stretchers, each estimated to cost Rs1, 800. The stretchers were installed as part of the CR’s pilot project to provide medical facility for carriage of injured passengers to medical vans in case of a railway accident.
“We are on the look out for the miscreants, who must have stolen the stretchers at night, when the trains are stabled for maintenance,” Mukesh Nigam, Divisional Railway Manager, CR.
Though railway authorities had locked the stretchers with chains, officers feel that it is still unsafe to leave the portable apparatus unmanned in local trains, especially when the trains are stabled at night.
A proposal to have the stretchers in motor-cab was ruled out due space constraints and a decision to put the stretchers in the luggage compartment was taken by railway authorities.
“We have to see whether the theft is committed by a single person or a gang. If it is detected that there is big gang, then there it no point in going ahead with the scheme,” said a senior official, who did not wish to be named.kalpana.verma@expressindia.com
In August, the CR had put 14 stretchers in seven locals to help carry train accident victims.
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