Tamil Nadu: Recurring run over incidents in Tiruchi Division remain a cause for concern for RPF

Recurring instances of human run over by trains under Tiruchi Railway Division has remained a cause for concern for the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Such untoward incidents have prompted the RPF authorities to identify the ‘most affected sections’ within the division and initiate steps to curtail them.

Many run over incidents due to trespass have been reported along Villupuram – Tiruchi chord line section via Vriddhachalam, Ariyalur and Srirangam; Villupuram – Thanjavur main line section via Kumbakonam and Thanjavur; and Tiruvannamalai -Vellore and Villupuram – Puducherry sections.

A majority of the victims were male in incidents that were reported from January to December last year.

RPF sources said that over 250 run over incidents were reported across the vast jurisdiction of the division in 2025 notwithstanding periodic awareness drives on safety.

In the wake of such incidents, the RPF has identified the ‘most affected sections’ in the division where five and more instances were reported in 2025.  These sections include Srirangam – Ponmalai; Srirangam – Valadi; Thanjavur – Alakkudi; Tiruvannamalai – Vellore; Sirkazhi – Vaithisvaran Koil; Nannilam – Tiruvarur; Puvanur – Vriddhachalam; Villupuram – Kandapakkam and Villianur- Puducherry.  he Srirangam – Ponmalai BG stretch near Tiruchi emerged on top with 13 incidents having been reported in 12 months, said the sources. 

The RPF launched a massive awareness drive for 10 days during December – January, covering vulnerable locations where people reside adjacent to the railway track. It highlighted the dangers of trespass and other safety-related issues. The loco pilots of trains have been sensitised to blow horn at the identified spots along the affected sections to prevent such incidents, said a senior RPF officer.

Additionally, track patrolling at vulnerable locations are being carried out during the high risk period. Banners highlighting the message of the danger of trespass have been put up at the locations adjoining the railway track, the sources further said.

Mock drills are being conducted with dummy corpses at select locations close to the track as part of awareness creation. The RPF has been focusing on four key aspects as part of awareness creation: seeking the cooperation of the public in curbing run over of human and cattle, dangers of placing foreign objects on the track and repercussion of stone pelting on trains. The public must be extremely cautious while crossing the track as it concerns their safety, the officer added..