Mumbai, Sep 1 (IANS) The Railway Protection Force (RPF) intensified its crackdown on activities compromising the safety and convenience of railway passengers in the Mumbai Central Division in August, taking action in 2,581 cases involving unauthorised entry, illegal vending, trespassing into women’s and PwD coaches, transportation of alcohol and other passenger safety violations.

During the month-long campaign, the RPF collected approximately Rs 32.26 lakh in fines under various provisions of the amended Railway Act. The action sent a clear message that there would be no leniency towards those violating rules on railway premises.

Under the guidance of Senior Divisional Security Commissioner, Mumbai Central, Santosh Kumar Singh Rathore, teams formed by ASC Surat, ASC Virar and ASC Mumbai Central, led by SIPF In-charge Santosh Soni, along with other staff, conducted a comprehensive enforcement campaign throughout August.

The primary objective of the campaign was to ensure a safe environment for railway passengers and curb activities that compromise security and passenger amenities on railway premises.

The RPF took major action against unauthorised entry onto railway tracks. As many as 985 individuals were apprehended under Section 147, and a fine of Rs 4,92,500 was collected from them. The action was aimed at reducing the risk of accidents and preventing people from entering restricted railway areas.

To ensure the safety of women passengers, the RPF also took action against men and outsiders entering ladies’ coaches without authorisation. A total of 83 individuals were apprehended under Section 162, and fines amounting to Rs 2,07,500 were collected. The enforcement drive was aimed at ensuring a safe and comfortable travel environment for women.

The RPF also took action against people travelling in coaches reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). A total of 474 individuals were apprehended under Section 155 for unauthorised travel, and approximately Rs 9.48 lakh in fines was collected. The action was intended to protect facilities specifically reserved for passengers with disabilities.

The force also acted on complaints involving extortion, misbehaviour and nuisance caused to passengers on trains and railway stations. As many as 211 transgender persons were apprehended under Section 145-B. The action was aimed at providing relief to passengers from activities such as alleged extortion and harassment.

A separate campaign was launched against the illegal transportation of alcohol on railway premises, during which 32 individuals were caught. The RPF said the action was aimed at curbing such activities and strengthening passenger safety.

The RPF also launched a major crackdown on unauthorised hawkers selling goods at railway stations and on trains. As many as 774 unauthorised vendors were apprehended under Section 144, and fines totalling Rs 15,48,000 were collected. The action was aimed at controlling unauthorised commercial activities and improving security on railway premises.

Action was also taken against people parking vehicles in no-parking zones on station premises. Six individuals were fined a total of Rs 3,000 under Section 159. Three individuals were fined Rs 6,000 each under Section 167 for smoking.

The RPF also took action against people pasting posters and stickers on local trains and railway coaches. Ten individuals were apprehended under Section 166 and fined Rs 20,000. The action was aimed at preventing the defacement of railway property.

In another incident, a man was caught dangerously travelling on the footboard of a moving train and was fined Rs 1,000. Such enforcement is intended to prevent accidents and injuries caused by passengers travelling in an unsafe manner.

The RPF also took action against a man for unnecessary alarm chain pulling, which resulted in the train being stopped without a valid reason. In another case, a suspected habitual criminal was caught allegedly stealing a passenger’s luggage, highlighting the force’s continued vigilance regarding the safety of passengers and their belongings.

–IANS

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