The Mumbai High Court (Bombay High Court) has directed railway authorities to introduce public safety announcements on all long-distance trains, similar to those on Vande Bharat trains, clearly informing passengers about the stations where the train will stop and those where it will not.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Jitendra Jain on Tuesday, the court emphasised that passengers should not risk their lives by attempting to board or alight from a moving train.
The ruling refers to a case from 10 years ago, when a passenger was injured while getting off a moving train at Jalgaon railway station. The court ordered a compensation of INR 80,000 to the injured person.
The court noted that while local trains have display boards and announcements to indicate which stations they will not stop at, such systems are generally absent on long-distance trains. Without such information, a passenger attempting to board or alight at a station cannot be blamed if an accident occurs.
Justice Jain advised passengers to avoid boarding or alighting from moving trains and wait for the next station, even if it involves paying a penalty, as this ensures safety. He added that while humans can take risks, mental balance and caution are crucial for the safety of passengers and their families.
The case arose when Rohidas Kumawat challenged a Railway Claims Tribunal order from January 2018, which had rejected his compensation claim, stating his injuries were “self-inflicted.” Kumawat was traveling on the Guwahati Express from Manmad to Jalgaon when, near Jalgaon station, he slipped due to crowding and sustained injuries to his head and leg.
The railway argued that Kumawat attempted to alight from a moving train after realising the train would not stop at Jalgaon. The High Court disagreed, noting that Kumawat was a responsible passenger, who boarded the train expecting it to stop at Jalgaon. The court ordered the railway authority to pay INR 80,000 as compensation within 12 weeks.
The judgment reinforces the need for clear safety announcements on long-distance trains and reminds passengers to prioritize safety over rushed actions.
Also Read: WR Planning To Introduce Mumbai–Surat Namo Bharat Train To Improve Connectivity
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