Unauthorised travel rampant in reserved coaches: Rlys

Between January and July 2014 out of total 37,131 cases, 42 per cent are related to unauthorised travel.

(Source: Express Archives)

Encroaching on travelling space reserved for a special category of commuters in Mumbai local trains tops the list of offences registered by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) under the Railways Act. Close to half of the total 37,131 cases registered with the Central Railway (CR) between January and July were for unauthorised travel in compartments reserved for disabled commuters and cancer patients.

While section 155 of the Railways Act also includes unauthorised travel in luggage compartments and reserved coaches in mail/express trains, according to RPF officers, most of the cases are reported in compartments earmarked for disabled commuters.

Of the total 37,131 cases, 42 per cent are related to unauthorised travel, with the RPF registering 15, 692 cases between January and July 2014.

A similar trend was noted last year, with unauthorised travel in reserved compartments accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the cases. The RPF registered 14,215 cases of the total 35,762 cases between January and July 2013.

With heavy rush in trains, especially during peak hours, commuters in compartments attached to the ones reserved for special categories are often found violating rules. These include women commuters, sick passengers and even the city police, according to RPF officials.

While lack of space is often cited as the reason by unauthorised commuters when caught by authorities, RPF officials feel that there should be greater sensitivity among commuters towards disabled passengers who find it difficult to board and alight from crowded compartments.

“Intensive drives and awareness campaigns through instructions in the train, display of posters and announcements are carried out continuously to control the lawless conduct of commuters. Travellers are always appealed not to enter compartments reserved for disabled,” said Alok Bohra, senior Divisional Security Commissioner, RPF, CR (Mumbai Division).

priyal.dave@expressindia.com

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram