Odisha: ECoR Advises Train Passengers Against Carrying Diwali Crackers & Inflammables

Bhubaneswar: With Diwali fast approaching, East Coast Railway (EcoR) on Saturday urged passengers to be careful. They should not carry and also not let their co-passengers carry inflammable or explosive objects to make the journey safer while travelling on passenger trains.

Carrying inflammable and explosive objects like firecrackers, gas cylinders, acid, petrol, kerosene, etc, in passenger trains during a train journey is a punishable offence under the Railways Act, 1989 and the offender may get imprisonment for up to three years.

“As Diwali is approaching, ECoR has geared up to prevent the carrying of crackers in passenger trains. Carrying inflammable items during a train journey is strictly prohibited,” EcoR said in a release.

ECoR has advised all its three Divisions – Khurda Road, Sambalpur and Waltair – to launch a Special Safety Drive to keep a strict vigil on carrying inflammable items in trains for the safety of passengers during Diwali celebrations, it said.

ECoR has directed the officials concerned to keep a strict vigil on passenger movements while travelling in train. The security wing consisting of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel have alerted. Apart from this, TTEs, Coach Attendants, Guards of the train, and Station Managers have also been advised to keep a vigil on the offender(s) to save train passengers from danger.

“Co-passengers are also requested to inform on-duty Railway staff, in case they find any passenger carrying inflammable items in the train,” the ECoR spokesperson added.

Passengers can call Help Line Number 139 to report any incident concerning carrying crackers in a train. Steps have been taken by the Security Department of ECoR to make train passengers and Rail Users aware of the dangers of carrying crackers and explosive substances. Surprise checks are being carried out randomly in trains in this regard in case of any suspicion regarding the carrying of crackers.

Apart from this, ECoR has also taken an awareness drive to alert passengers through the public announcement system at Stations. Random and surprise checks will also be undertaken by Railway staff in coordination with the GRP and RPF and Civil Defence Volunteers. Special attention will be given to checking parcels or luggage loading in Parcel Vans.

Notably, Train Escorting teams and Meri Saheli teams have also been advised to keep a sharp watch on the inflammable items in trains and at railway stations. These apart, adequate fire extinguishers and fire-fighting equipment are being provided at Stations, Goods Shed, Guard’s Brake Van, AC Coaches, Pantry Cars and Locomotives.