Finally, CR removes killer pole 10 died at the spot between GTB Nagar and Chunabhatti stations this year

Finally, CR removes killer pole

10 died at the spot between GTB Nagar and Chunabhatti stations this year

A killer pole located close to the railway tracks between Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Nagar and Chunabhatti stations on the Harbour Line, which claimed 10 lives this year, was removed by the Central Railway administration recently, following a report published in DNA on October 22. Railway pole no12/2 posed a danger to all those travelling on the footboards of trains. “The pole was too close to the railway tracks between GTB Nagar and Chunabhatti railway stations,” said Jitendra Rathod, senior police inspector of Wadala government railway police (GRP) station. He added that until October 31 this year, 10 commuters were killed after hitting the pole, while three others had been seriously injured. Among the deceased, five were aged between 17 and 25 years. In 2011, six commuters had lost their lives this way, and in 2010, five. “Interestingly, the Wadala GRP had written three letters to the Central Railway administration since 2011, asking them to shift this railway pole to a safer distance, for the safety of railway commuters. However, neither did the railway administration shift this pole nor did they reposnd to the GRP’s letters,” said inspector Rathod. “However, it looks like the Central railway administration finally decided to take action and remove the killer railway pole from its position,” said inspector BT Tidke of Wadala GRP station. When contacted, Central Railway officials were not available for comment.