"This stretch is passed by these trains after 11pm. We have increased Railway Protection Force patrol on trains like Netravati," he said.
The spate of robberies in Kerala trains running on the Konkan Railway route and the continued efforts by passenger associations to build up pressure about the situation has ensured that the railways has woken up to the issue. Passengers associations like the Keraleeya Kendra Sanghatana, an umbrella body of Malalyalee commuters living in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, had met KR officials including its chairman-managing director Sanjay Gupta on Thursday asking the railways to step up efforts to apprehend these thieves and make commuting safer on the picturesque route.
KR has begun concentrating on the Madgaon-Mangalore stretch through which Kerala trains like Netravati pass in the night, making it an ideal time for thieves to strike. Speaking to dna, Gupta acknowledged the problem.
"This stretch is passed by these trains after 11pm. We have increased Railway Protection Force patrol on trains like Netravati," he said.
He asked passengers on these trains to immediately alert railways on the pan-India security helpline number 182 in case of any such incident. "The 182 helpline is patrolled by the RPF at all times of the day and help would be immediate. Secondly, commuters can also contact Konkan Railway on its twitter handle @KonkanRailway. The issue of thefts of passenger belongings is something that KR has taken very seriously and all efforts will be made to ensure passengers have a safe commute," Gupta said.
Sashikumar Nair of the Keraleeya Kendra Sanghatana said the meeting was fruitful. "The KR CMD has promised action and we as passengers are also fully ready to cooperate with authorities to ensure travelling on KR is as pleasurable an experience as the scenic route itself," said Nair.
Both passenger associations as well as KR authorities agreed that passengers should avoid travelling with too much gold or ornaments — even if it is marriage season — as it attracts thieves.
In case of any theft incident
Call 182 and give precise information
Inform railway authorities on Twitter handles like @KonkanRailway and @RailMinIndia
Lodge case with Travelling Ticket Examiner of train and get acknowledgment of complaint
Ensure Zero FIR is transferred and registered by Railway Police/ Railway Protection Force
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