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

RPF intensifies awareness and patrol efforts in Tiruchi Division to combat recurring train run-over incidents and enhance public safety.

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.