CHENNAI: Concerned over the rise in train run-over deaths in the State, railway authorities are now set to focus on clusters such as those near stations or level-crossings, which are prone to such incidents.
This first time approach of targeting clusters, followed by recommending constructive measures, is aimed at bringing down the run-over count.
This effort involves Southern Railway, Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force.
Speaking to Express, George, Superintendent of Police, GRP, said an analysis of previous incidents, factoring in all reasons, was being done.
In the first phase, close to 10 clusters (falling withinthe GRP station limits), including Egmore, Avadi and Arakonnam have been identified. He stated that maps for each of those clusters kilometre-wise have been drawn up. “We will undertake field visits in these most vulnerable sections, in terms of higher number of incidents of death being recorded,” George said, adding that they will also be recommending measures.
The measures may include structural or infrastructural changes such as building foot overbridge (FoB), constructing walls etc. As a first step, a team of officials would take a field visit on the busy Central-Avadi section on Tuesday. The exercise would soon be expanded to other vulnerable sections in the state, officials said.
Danger zones
Identified such clusters across the State are at Egmore, Korukkupet, Chengalpattu, Perambur, Avadi, Arakkonam, Jolarpettai, Tirupur and Salem