Over 1,200 persons were killed in various train mishaps in India in the last five years, with accidents at unmanned level crossings accounting for 717 fatalities.
The Railway Board has provided these year-wise (April to March) figures in reply to an RTI query filed by the President of Thane District Rail Passengers’ Association, Mr Om Prakash Sharma.
Mishaps at unmanned level crossings claimed 146 lives in 2006-07, 148 in 2007-08, 129 in 2008-09, 170 in 2009-10 and 124 in 2010-11.
The number of people killed due to train mishaps was maximum in 2010-11, with 374 registered deaths. 208 people were killed in rail mishaps in 2006-07, 191 in 2007-08, 209 in 2008-09 and 238 in 2009-10.
According to the Railway Board, deaths due to train collisions was maximum (239) in 2010-11. Of the total number of deaths in 2010-11, 64 per cent which is 239 of the total was on account of collision. Out of the 49 deaths due to train derailment, 13 were in 2007-08, the reply added.
In the last five years, the total number of persons injured in train accidents was 2,124, out of which, 469 were injured in 2010-11. The number of injured was 402 in 2006-07, 412 in 2007-08, 444 in 2008-09 and 397 in 2009-10, it said.
Mr Sharma said: “The number of train accidents and the resulting loss of human lives is on the rise, as revealed by the Railway Board figures. The railway authorities should immediately take precautionary measures, especially at the unmanned level crossings, so that precious human lives are not lost.”