Western Railways RPF is taking several steps to prevent cattle from being run over near railway tracks | So Good News

Western Railway’s Railway Protection Force (RPF) is entrusted with the safety and security of passengers and railway property. Western Railway’s RPF in Mumbai Division has seen a disturbing trend of cattle owners/cattle herders letting their cattle loose on railway land and tracks and has taken several steps to prevent cases of cattle run overs. In the recent past, Mumbai Central – Gandhinagar – Capital Vande Bharat Express has been facing Cattle Run Over cases.

According to a press release issued by Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, such cases of Cattle Run Over have adversely affected railway operations, increasing the possibility of railway accidents including derailments. This also endangers the safety of passengers and may lead to disruption of railway traffic and loss of railway property, etc. To prevent such incidents in future, RPF Mumbai Division has identified various vulnerable spots. RPF has conducted frequent awareness and sensitization campaigns in all these places. In 2022, the RPF has carried out 1,023 awareness campaigns in vulnerable places so far. In addition to this, the RPF has conducted meetings with the sarpanch in all villages near railway tracks. More than 50 meetings have been held this year. Residents/cattle grazers of the nearby villages where such incidents take place are advised not to let their livestock graze near the railway tracks as there are chances of the livestock entering or crossing the tracks and being run over by the speeding trains. Dumping of garbage along the railway tracks by the people is also a cause as this attracts the cattle to graze near the railway fields/tracks. RPF Mumbai Division is also working in close coordination with the city administration and city police to prevent movement of stray cattle near railway tracks.

Western Railway will take strict action against the violators, whose cattle are found moving in railway land/area. Under the provisions of the Railways Act 1989, owners of cattle are liable to be punished under section 154 (which endangers the safety of persons traveling by railway by willful act or omission, is punishable with imprisonment for 1 year, or with fine or both) and under section 147 (Trending and refusal to desist from offence, punishable with imprisonment for 6 months, or with fine Rs. 1000/- or with both).

Western Railway appeals to cattle owners/grazers not to let their cattle come near the railway land/tracks. Strict measures will be taken in accordance with the law against the violators.