Ottapalam: According to railway records, 176 people lost lives in the Palakkad Division due to train-related accidents up to September this year.

During this period in 2023, there were a total of 232 train accidents, resulting in 224 fatalities.

Among these, 176 deaths occurred when individuals either crossed the tracks or walked close to it.  A total of  21 people were injured seriously but survived, and 43 individuals committed suicide by jumping in front of trains, with three others sustaining injuries from attempted suicides.

Under the leadership of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), regular inspections are conducted for at least an hour in accident-prone areas. The RPF also works to deter people from walking along tracks and conducts awareness campaigns. Despite these efforts, behaviours such as sitting on railway tracks, standing on rail bridges, and attempting to cross the tracks despite seeing oncoming trains often lead to tragic accidents, RPF officials report. Crossing the tracks, whether near or away from railway stations, is a punishable offence that can result in imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both.

Closing pathways to reduce accidents

The railway has begun closing off high-risk paths that cross the tracks, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic. In the Palakkad Division, 294 such locations have been identified. However, the closures face local opposition, as they often require people to walk several kilometres to reach the other side of the tracks.