In response to a recent alarming incident, Southern Railway has announced it will consider installing additional barricades at multiple stations. This move aims to prevent unauthorized trespassing onto railway tracks, a decision spurred by a collision involving a Vande Bharat Express and an autorickshaw.
The Varkala Station Incident: A Drunken Drive Onto Tracks
The catalyst for this safety review was an unusual event on Tuesday night near Varkala. The Kasaragod–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 20633) was approaching the Akathumuri Halt station in the Varkala–Kadakkavur section. At approximately 10:10 PM, the train collided with an autorickshaw that had entered the tracks.
Officials revealed that the auto driver, who was later found to be in a drunken state, managed to drive his vehicle onto the platform with significant difficulty. The auto subsequently toppled onto the tracks. Fortunately, the train was negotiating a curve and was at a reasonably slow speed. The loco pilot applied brakes promptly, averting a potentially major disaster and any risk of derailment. No injuries were reported from the accident. The auto driver fled the scene but was later arrested by authorities.
Railway's Safety Drive and Public Pushback
A senior official stated that while this was an unusual case of a vehicle being driven into a station, it highlighted a critical safety loophole. The railways are now taking steps to minimize track incursions, especially as train speeds are being increased on various sections. Many locations where people commonly trespass or cross tracks to access stations have already been sealed with fencing.
However, these security efforts have not been without controversy. The installation of barricades has invited criticism from sections of the public who argue that the fencing restricts their free movement and access to the stations.
Passenger Association Calls for Specific Measures
Echoing the need for targeted solutions, Krishnakumar P of the Thrissur Railway Passengers Association pointed out that the incident exposed a specific vulnerability. He suggested that the railways should install barriers at stations where there is a possibility for vehicles to be driven in via ramps located at the ends of platforms. This would address the precise type of breach that occurred in Varkala.
The official stance remains focused on proactive prevention. With plans to expand barricading to more stations, Southern Railway is walking a tightrope between enhancing passenger safety and managing public convenience, all in the wake of a late-night scare that could have ended far worse.
