The Pune railway division has recorded a marginal decrease in dangerous incidents of track trespassing and unauthorized alarm chain pulling in 2025 compared to the previous year. However, this slight improvement is overshadowed by a massive surge in cases of passengers travelling without tickets, according to official data released by the authorities.
A Mixed Bag of Safety and Offence Statistics
Data for the year 2025 shows 428 incidents of track trespassing, which resulted in 367 fatalities and 61 injuries. While still alarmingly high, this marks a slight reduction from 2024, which saw 435 such incidents causing 385 deaths and 50 injuries. Similarly, cases of alarm chain pulling, which disrupt train schedules, fell to 809 in 2025 from 891 the year before.
In stark contrast, the number of passengers caught without a valid ticket skyrocketed. Offences jumped to a staggering 3,98,250 cases in 2025 from 2,73,770 in 2024. Officials attribute part of this rise to a significant increase in passenger traffic. "Last year, the Pune division ran 96 special trains during different events, covering a total of 964 trips, against 74 trains covering 254 trips in 2024," a senior official explained. "More trains resulted in more passengers, and hence those caught for offences like travelling without a ticket and chain pulling were high."
Pushing Ahead with Infrastructure and Tech Solutions
Acknowledging that trespassing remains a critical concern, railway authorities are aggressively implementing physical barriers. Hemant Kumar Behera, divisional commercial manager, stated that about 150 km of track fencing has already been completed on the crucial Pune–Lonavla–Daund section. "The target is to complete 290km by April. This is a high-priority project," Behera emphasized.
This Rs 234.64-crore project is not limited to fences. It also involves building strategically placed subways for safe crossing. Initially, 16 subways were approved, with three more added after identifying additional risk-prone spots. Construction is underway at 14 sites, with box casting finished at seven. An official noted that the total fencing length could be extended further as new trespassing hotspots emerge.
Technology is also being leveraged. There is a proposal to procure and install 96 standalone solar-powered CCTV cameras at identified black spots. These cameras will store footage for 24 hours, enabling analysis to guide corrective actions.
Call for Enhanced On-Ground Vigilance
While infrastructure projects are underway, some stakeholders stress the importance of basic enforcement. Anand Saptarshi, a member of the Zonal Railway Users' Consultative Committee (ZRUCC), argued that diligent patrolling could significantly curb trespassing. "Unfortunately, traditional patrolling is not being carried out effectively, which is why the number of incidents remains high," he said.
Echoing this need for stricter enforcement, officials confirmed that specialized teams will be formed this year to conduct more frequent checks and take harsher action against offenders. The focus for the Pune rail division is clear: combine sustained awareness campaigns, rapid infrastructure upgrades, and rigorous on-ground enforcement to achieve a sharper reduction in unsafe and unlawful activities on its network.
