Railways holds awareness drive to curb alarm chain pulling

Patna: With a view to curbing unnecessary alarm chain pulling, Railway Protection Force (RPF), after identifying several panchayats where such incidents are frequent, have been holding counselling sessions in these areas to raise awareness about its negative impact.
The Danapur division of the East Central Railway (ECR), after studying the trends, has identified several areas where the alarm chain pulling incidents are frequent.
According to Danapur divisional railway manager (DRM), Jayant Kumar Choudhary, alarm chain pulling is a serious safety concern for railways, causing delays, disruptions and posing risks to lives of passengers. The RPF, along with railway authorities, is working to educate villagers about the severe consequences of alarm chain pulling, both for the safety of commuters and for the potential legal ramifications that come with such actions, he said.
As part of the awareness drive, the RPF has been visiting areas that have seen a high number of alarm chain pulling incidents particularly on the Danapur-Ara-Buxar-DDU, Patna-Gaya, Patna-Mokama and Kiul-Gaya routes of the division. During these counselling sessions being held with the villagers, the RPF officials explain the repercussions of the illegal activity, including the potential for collective fines imposed on communities involved in alarm chain pulling cases, Danapur ADRM Aadhar Raj said.
"Alarm chain pulling is not only a crime, but also a danger to human lives and railway operations. The RPF personnel make people understand the severity of this act and the collective responsibility the community holds in preventing such incidents," Raj said.
According to Danapur RPF senior commandant Prakash Kumar Panda, in addition to educating villagers particularly the youths, college and school going students, the RPF is also preparing for a collective fine system. If alarm chain pulling cases continue to rise in specific areas, the railways will impose fines on the entire community as a deterrent measure. "This move aims to make villagers more accountable and discourage such behaviours," he said.
The railways hopes that through these community-based awareness programmes, it can significantly reduce alarm chain pulling incidents, improve the safety and punctuality of trains and foster greater cooperation between the railway authorities and local communities, Panda said.