To express their concern and demand for better services people protested at Dombivli station on Tuesday. The accident also led to the formation of a whatsapp group by the city youngsters to let the authorities know about the problems that they have been facing for a long time.
The deadly stretch between Dombivli and Koper claimed another innocent life when a 25-year-old, Dhanashri Godave, lost her balance while travelling on the footboard of the train on Monday.
Activists and residents from Dombivli are miffed with railway authorities and have planned to protest. Commuters feel that even after the much-talked about accident of Bhavesh Nakate, things have not improved for Dombivli commuters. After Bhavesh's accident seven more accidents have occurred but till now no concrete measures have been taken.
To express their concern and demand for better services people protested at Dombivli station on Tuesday. The accident also led to the formation of a whatsapp group by the city youngsters to let the authorities know about the problems that they have been facing for a long time.
Vishwanath Biwalkar, founder of NGO Eagle brigade, has written a letter to the railway minister Suresh Prabhu. In his letter he has demanded to increase number of trains on the stretch and has also requested for an opportunity for their NGO to be part of the committee that has been set to prevent such accidents.
"Though (Railway police force) RPF has been conducting awareness drive during peak hours at Dombivli station. These awareness drives were initiated after Bhavesh's accident and there has been little difference. The problem could only be resolved only if number of trains are increased," said Biwalkar.
"During the drive the RPF tries to stop people from boarding overcrowded trains. At times people listen but mostly they don't as most of the time trains are overcrowded. Hence, there is no point in missing trains," shared Satya Phani, a commuter.
"Railways is doing its but to encourage safe commuting among people. But it is also the responsibility of the commuters to value their life and avoid risky habits. The authorities too should look at increasing number of trains," he added.
Aam Admi Party's (AAP) Dombivli wing, too, protested at the station in huge number and also hinted that if appropriate measures are not taken on time then they might go for fast unto death.
Members of Rail Pravasi Sangh and other commuters too wore black bands in protest and also criticized the railway minister for not fulfilling demand which was stated long back.
Railway activist Samir Zaveru said: "There are many short term solutions that have been proposed to the central railway but those have never been implemented. In addition there are other irregularities being done by CR which costs near about 10 lives everyday."
Most crowded Central Railway station
As per information obtained under (Right To Information) RTI, Dombivli has emerged as the most crowded station on Central Railway. Roughly 2.34 lakh passengers travel every day from here. Number of services of trains is just 56, and only one service has been added since 2010. Out of 545 deaths on central line, over 200 people died in train-related accident on this line. Since, January 16 people have fallen to death between Thakurli and Diva.
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