Central Railway’s Innovative Approach: Greasing to Deter Track Trespassing

Mumbai, India – Central Railway’s (CR) Mumbai division has taken an unconventional yet safety-driven approach to tackle the issue of track trespassing. In a recent tweet, CR appealed to passengers to refrain from crossing tracks for their safety and advised the use of authorized staircases, lifts, and escalators. The railway’s endeavor to enhance passenger safety is notable, with fencing being installed at platform ends to curb trespassing. However, to meet Schedule of Dimension (SOD) requirements, some space is left unfenced.

In response to this challenge, CR has come up with an innovative and cost-effective solution at select stations. Grease has been applied to the fencing and platform floor within a fixed frame, with Belapur CBD station being among the pioneers of this initiative. The application of grease is intended to discourage people from attempting to climb onto platforms from the ends.

The move, though well-intentioned, has sparked mixed reactions among commuters. While some appreciate the efforts to improve safety and reduce accidents, others view the greasing as a drastic measure.

CR’s primary objective is to deter individuals from venturing onto the tracks, a practice that not only leads to accidents but also disrupts the railway system and has far-reaching consequences. By introducing grease and creating grease puddles, CR hopes to discourage people from straying beyond the designated platform boundaries.

In addition to the grease application, CR has announced plans to modify platform slopes that are frequently used by commuters to trespass onto rail lines. The Thane station is a prime example of where such measures are deemed necessary to prevent travelers from dangerously accessing tracks via the Thane Creek bridge. Other locations witnessing high instances of trespassing include Wadala, Parsik, and Raoli junction.

To address this issue, CR is taking the significant step of demolishing 171 out of 286 ramps across all suburban railway stations. These ramps are heavily used by commuters to trespass onto or exit railway premises. Railway officials have reported that over 60% of rail track-related deaths occur as a result of trespassing.

In 2022, CR documented 124 casualties due to trespassing incidents. In response to these alarming statistics, CR has implemented various safety measures, including raising platform heights to reduce the gap between platforms and trains and the installation of fencing. These initiatives have yielded a substantial reduction in rail-related casualties and injuries, underlining the railway’s commitment to passenger safety.