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Selfie craze atop trains a cause for concern

Authorities claim that despite many awareness programmes, people are repeating the same offence

KOZHIKODE: Taking selfies atop stationary trains or wagons is a cause for concern for railway authorities. In Palakkad division, five such cases were reported in the last few years claiming three lives.

In August 2014, a 14-year old boy climbed atop a stationed goods train at Shornur Junction station and was electrocuted by the 25-kv overhead line. In August 2010, a 24-year old climbed on the roof of a diesel locomotive at the Palakkad station and was electrocuted.

In November 2010, a 16-year boy climbed atop the roof of a goods wagon at Walayar station and got electric shock. He later died in the hospital.

In June this year, a group of 10 youth were arrested in Kanjikode railway station for climbing on a halted train for taking selfie.

Authorities claim that despite many awareness programmes, people are repeating the same offence.

“Railway safety division had carried out many awareness programmes against the selfie craze among students and youth. But unfortunately people’s memory fades easily,” rues Palakkad additional division railway manager Mohan A. Menon.

Besides the display of warning boards at stations, authorities had asked the station master to specifically look into the chance of youth climbing on trains unaware of the 25kv overhead line.

According to railway sources, another alarming factor is the public haphazardly throwing conductible objects on the electrified tracks from the top of road overbridges on sides of the track and also carrying such objects in person while crossing the tracks.

( Source : deccan chronicle )
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