A 19-year-old youth sustained serious injuries after coming into contact with a high-voltage overhead electric (OHE) system while allegedly attempting to shoot a social media reel at Mancheswar railway station in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. He is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Incident Details
The incident occurred around 5:50 am when Rameswar Dashera, a resident of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, allegedly climbed onto a stationary goods train at the station, according to railway police sources. Ashok Gochhayat, inspector at the Government Railway Police (GRP) station in Bhubaneswar, stated that Dashera arrived at Mancheswar with four friends and alighted from a passenger train in the morning. The group was reportedly heading to a skill development training centre at VSS Nagar. During the stop, Dashera climbed onto a goods train, and his head touched the overhead wire.
Immediate Response
Following the electric shock, Dashera fell onto the railway track. Passers-by alerted the station staff, after which Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel on duty rushed to the spot and arranged immediate medical assistance. An East Coast Railway (ECoR) official said, "On-duty RPF personnel immediately rushed to the spot and shifted the injured person to the Railway Hospital by ambulance. After preliminary treatment, he was referred to a government tertiary care hospital for further treatment. He was conscious."
Railway Warning
ECoR reiterated its appeal to passengers and the public, particularly youngsters, to avoid climbing railway wagons, coaches, electric poles, or any railway infrastructure for selfies, photographs, videos, or social media content. The railways cautioned that OHE used for train operations carries extremely high voltage and could be fatal. Officials warned that even without direct contact, coming too close to the wire can trigger electric arcing, leading to severe burns, critical injuries, or even death.
Awareness Campaigns
ECoR stated that Indian Railways continues to run awareness drives through station announcements, posters, counselling sessions, and social media outreach to discourage trespassing and unsafe behaviour on railway premises. It also warned that such acts are punishable under provisions of the Railways Act. The railway stressed that tracks and electrical systems are sensitive operational zones and urged public cooperation to prevent accidents and ensure safety.
