NEW DELHI: In a worrying trend, about 33,445 people were killed in accidents occurring due to crossing rail track, falling from running trains and hitting with poles in suburban sections between 2010 and 2014, said a CAG report released today.
The report said that maximum number of death cases was reported in Mumbai suburban section. Of the 33445 deaths, 19868 deaths (59 percent) occurred due to line crossing and trespassing only. 17638 (52 percent) death cases occurred in Mumbai suburban section due to various reasons.
About 15 percent (4885) of total deaths were result of passengers falling and again 4002 occurred in Mumbai. According to auditor, scrutiny of records revealed that fencing between tracks was not provided at some stations while it was partially provided at some.
The report also found that there was a mismatch on reporting of deaths by railways administration to the Railway Board concerning safety issues.
“There was a vast difference between number of deaths reports in annual statistical statement of Indian Railways and the figures reported by the Government railway Police (GRP),” said the report.
The national auditor also found deficiencies in passenger amenities and said cleanliness is an issue at stations and needs to be addressed in an effective way.
"Cleanliness at stations which continued to be a reason for passenger dissatisfaction. During a joint inspection, cleanliness issues were noticed at platforms, waiting halls, station walls and foot over-bridges," it added.
The report found inadequacies in provision of water taps, platforms in appropriate level, foot over-bridges, platform shelters, train indicator system, provisions of urinals at the selected stations were found by it.