Website to help identify victims

Thanks to local NGO Manavata, Mumbaikars can now look forward to a website that will assist them in searching for information about victims involved in road or rail mishaps.

While it may be considered the lifeline of Mumbai, the suburban rail services in the city have also sounded the death knell for thousands of people — with more than 8,000 people killed or injured on the railway tracks over the last 12 months. Out of which, nearly 25% are categorised as unidentified victims due to lack of evidence to prove their identity.

To address the issue, Manavata aims to develop a website that will provide photographs of the deceased and injured commuters, along with information about other road and rail mishap incidents.

Prior to initiating the project, volunteers of the NGO conducted a field study wherein they filed complaints about thefts, missing children, and even some accidents on the tracks to the departments concerned. In most cases, the research indicated indifferent behaviour by the officials in charge. “That’s when we decided to  create a platform wherein the victim and his associate would receive complete support, both psychological and financial, if  required,” said Bhavesh Patel, convener of Manavata.

With nearly 15-20 offices located across the city, the NGO, in association with Lions Club of Mumbaiites Foundation (LCMF), is also working out a strategy to offer single window clearances for the victims and their aides.
k_shwetaa@dnaindia.net