Chennai: Suicides, trespassing on railway tracks see significant decline

Chennai: There has been a significant decline in deaths on tracks due to trespassing and suicides in 2016 compared to 2015 in Chennai division.

The number of deaths on tracks declined from 1,410 in 2015 to 1,297 in 2016 – an 8.7 percent decline. But an increase in the number of natural deaths on trains and railway platforms was recorded, according to statistics from the Government Railway Police (GRP), Chennai Division.

The total number of suicides on the tracks was reported to be 41 in 2016 which was a steep fall from the 148 in 2015 in the Chennai division, which comprises Egmore, Central and Coimbatore sub-divisions. The suburban line on the Beach- Tambaram - Chengalpet line comes under the Egmore sub-division.

Deaths due to fall from trains declined from 118 in 2015 to 62 last year but the number of natural deaths (while on trains/ platforms) was found to be higher in 2016.

Stations like Tiruppur, Salem, Jolarpet, Pothanur witnessed an increased number of suicides in 2015 and the numbers came down last year by an increased margin. According to senior GRP officials, the deployment of personnel to create awareness among people, educative programmes, distribution of pamphlets, and the imposition of fines on trespassing.

“Policemen sensitise the public and we are also working with Sneha suicide prevention to prevent suicide deaths,” said a top GRP official. He added the there is squad patrolling for the security of female passengers and special teams to keep an eye on property offenders. Railway Protection Force (RPF) also has special teams on vigil on platforms and to escort trains.