Soon boarding moving trains to attract on-the-spot penalty

Kochi: For years, the sight of a commuter running alongside a departing train or leaping onto the platform before a carriage comes to a halt has been common. Authorities largely met these "daring" tactics with stern warnings and whistle-blows until now. However, in the wake of an alarming rise in platform accidents, Railway Protection Force (RPF) is all set to take stringent penal action.Soon boarding or alighting from moving trains will be treated as a "mandatory" punishable offence and the commuters caught engaging in this high-risk act will invite a fine up to Rs 2,000."A decision has been taken to treat the risky behaviour as a crime under Section 156 of the Railways Act. So far, we used to dole out warnings for such acts or move the railway court as a last action. But we will start handing out on-the-spot fines, with penalties up to Rs 2,000 for such acts," a senior RPF official told TOI.The decision has been taken and the RPF in Thiruvananthapuram division is waiting for the circular, which is expected in a couple of days.The policy shift aims to act as a psychological deterrent, forcing passengers to weigh the value of a few saved seconds against a legal record and a potential tragedy.The crackdown is fuelled by a record number of 37 such mishaps in the division in the first four months of this year. Out of the cases, 12 died and 25 suffered grievous injuries. The latest incident happened on April 30, when a 35-year-old woman died after she slipped and fell under a moving train while attempting to board Vanchinad Express at Ernakulam Junction station.In 2025, Thiruvananthapuram division recorded 113 such mishaps, which included slips during boarding and falls from coaches. As many as 31 people lost their lives last year.RPF officials note that the specific act of falling from moving trains remains one of the most preventable, yet most lethal, categories of accidents."Even for seasoned commuters, maintaining balance is a gamble when standing near open doors. The iron doors can catch them unaware from behind while the train negotiates curves. The doors have more weight than a normal person and the centrifugal force created can pull a standing passenger outward," said a railway spokesperson."It's generally noticed that some travellers stand near the doors even if there are vacant seats in coaches. The trend is more during the hot and humid conditions," the official pointed out.The authorities also plan to take measures such as intensive counselling sessions for caught offenders, station announcements and increased surveillance on trains known for overcrowding.