People prefer tracks over foot overbridge

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 13

Residents continue to risk their lives by using railway tracks instead of the foot overbridge connecting Session’s Chowk with the Clock Tower.

Parents are seen crossing the tracks with their children caring two hoots about the risk being posed to their loved ones’ lives. Authorities, too, are doing nothing to prevent people from crossing the railway tracks.

Instead of taking action, the authorities concerned are busy passing the buck.

Government Railway Police (GRP) Station House Officer (SHO) Inderjit Singh said according to the Railway Act, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has to look into the matter of preventing and penalising people from crossing railway tracks.

On being told about the GRP SHO’s statement, RPF Commandant Vinod Kumar said: “The GRP officer is shying away from duty. We have nothing to do with this matter. Division Traffic Manager (DTM) and Station Superintendent (SS) should be contacted in this regard as they are the ones who can comment over the issue.”

Station Superintendent Yashwant Singh said: “We have mooted a proposal to erect a concrete wall on the Sessions Courts side to prevent people from crossing the railway track. Our engineering department will carry out the job soon. Further, we have already installed a railing on one side leading towards the Clock Tower.”

On the other hand, sources in the railways said the railway officials were aware of the menace but were unable to do anything due to fund crunch.

“Awareness and education is required. If parents will set a wrong precedent by crossing the railway track, instead of using the foot overbridge, then their children will follow suit. It is unfortunate that whatever we are taught in school is left behind in school. Children emulate elders and that is perhaps the reason why the younger generation flouts traffic rules,” said retired Prof KBS Sodhi.