In 4 months, 107 deaths on tracks between Mira Road and Vaitarna

The Vasai Government Railway Police have recorded 107 deaths between Mira Road and Vaitarna in four months. Most of these are accidents that occurred when the victims tried to cross the track, and most others are cases of people falling to their death from crowded trains.

From January 1 to April 30, in Mira Road 18 people, including 4 females, died in various accidents; at Bhayander 13 male commuters died. At Naigaon 11 persons, including 3 females died in this period; at Vasai 17, including 3 females, died; and in Nalasopara the figure is 12 males. The highest number is in Virar where 32 commuters that included a female died. And at Vaitarna, 6 persons, of whom three were females, died in accidents.

"The number of accidents has been going up. Western Railway's lackadaisical attitude is the main reason for this. It should take the initiative to discourage track crossing by constructing concrete walls, and also reduce the gap at the platform. It's also important to increase the frequency of trains to reduce overcrowding during peak hours, said Pratik Thakur, a social activist in Virar.

"We have always tried to curb people crossing the track. We post police officials to check people doing this, but accidental deaths have been increasing," said a Vasai GRP official.