Thursday 1 December 2016

Salem Division, Southern Railway to take up special drive against defacation in railway tracks in Salem-Vridhachalam Section


During an inspection by Sri Hari Shankar Verma, DRM, Salem, in the Salem Vridhachalam Section today (01/12/2016), it was seen that there was a lot of defaction by human excreta in the entire section, particularly between Salem Town and Minnampalli railway stations. Defacation of railway tracks is a punishable offence with fine up to Rs.500 and/or imprisonment, under Indian Railways Act, 1989, Indian Railways (Penalties for activities affecting cleanliness at railway premises) Rules 2012 and Environment Protection Act 1986. The notification issued by the Railway Board on November 26, 2012, under Railways Act, 1989, prohibits littering in any occupied or unoccupied railway premises or the carriage, and bars an individual from cooking, bathing, spitting, urinating, feeding animals or birds, repairing or washing vehicles, washing utensils or clothes or any other objects or keep any type of storage in any railway premises.

Such defacation, apart from polluting the environment, also poses a threat to the safety and longevity of the railway tracks, by way of fast corrosion and deterioration. In addition, it also becomes difficult for railway personnel to work on track, as it creates health hazard to them, apart from being lower to the human dignity to work in such a polluted environment. Despite many awareness campaigns in the area, the practice of using the railway tracks continues, resulting in frequent ran over track deaths as well, time and again. 

With a view to curb this menace, Salem Division, Southern Railway, is taking up a special drive against such defacation in the entire stretch between Salem and Vridhachalam, starting from tomorrow (02.12.2016), as per the directions of Sri Hari Shankar Verma, DRM, Salem.

The public are therefore advised not to defacate the railway tracks nor use them for any other purposes such as drying of clothes, etc. failing which they will be apprehended by Railway Protection Force officials, liable to pay fine up to Rs.500 and/or undergo imprisonment. 

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