look news india
Indian Railways has taken a very strict stance on the habit of youth traveling by hanging on the footboard of a moving train during overcrowding in trains or for the sake of social media reels and stunts. Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have started intensive checking campaign against passengers standing or hanging unauthorized at gates on busy railway routes, local trains and express trains across the country.
Often, passengers stand at the door citing fresh air, early disembarkation or lack of space inside the compartment. But this carelessness not only poses a big threat to their own life but also causes fatal accidents by hitting signal poles, OHE (Overhead Equipment) wires and girders of bridges. In view of this, Railways has made it clear that no concession will be given to such passengers and they may have to go straight to jail.
Traveling on the door, footboard, roof or engine of a train is a serious punishable offense under the Indian Railways Act:
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Section 156 of Railways Act, 1989: According to this section, if a passenger travels or attempts to do so on the roof, footboard or engine of a train, and refuses to move from there despite being warned by a railway employee, he can be immediately deboarded from the train.
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Provision of punishment and fine: If found guilty, the person concerned Up to 3 months imprisonment (jail) Or Cash fine up to ₹500or both the punishments may be given together.
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Action on co-offenders also: If any person helps any other passenger to hang on the door or prevents him from coming inside, then legal action can be taken against him under the relevant sections of the Railway Act.
Nowadays, many youngsters take the risk of making videos or Instagram reels from mobile by hanging with one hand on the gate of a moving train. Railway administration has made it clear that those doing stunts will not be limited to Section 156 only:
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Section 145 (creating nuisance and disturbance): Creating nuisance in a train while intoxicated or endangering public safety can result in imprisonment along with confiscation of ticket.
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Section 153 (endangering the safety of other passengers): If the act of a passenger knowingly endangers the operation of the train or the safety of other co-passengers, then under Strict imprisonment up to 5 years There is provision for.
Special Flying Squad teams of RPF have been deployed at major junctions like New Delhi, Mumbai, Howrah, Patna, Lucknow, Kanpur and Prayagraj:
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Passengers hanging at the gate while the train is leaving the stations are being detained.
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Digital evidence is being collected through high-definition CCTV cameras installed on the platforms and body-worn cameras of security personnel, which are produced before the Railway Magistrate.
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If a passenger is caught repeatedly violating this rule, his name can be registered in the defaulter database of the Railways and an adverse report can also be sent during police verification in future government services.
Indian Railways has appealed to all daily commuters and general public not to compromise with their safety:
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If the train is overcrowded and there is no safe place to board, wait for the next train.
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Never attempt to board or deboard a moving train.
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Keep the coach door open only for boarding and deboarding and do not lean outwards while holding the gate handle.
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If any co-passenger is seen standing in a dangerous position at the door, immediately call the railway helpline number. 139 Call or lodge a complaint through ‘Rail Madad’ app so that the security force at the next station can take necessary steps.
