NASHIK: The numbers of trespassing cases have declined at Nashik Road Railway Station between January and September this year compared to the cases reported during the corresponding period last year, the Railway Protection Force officer, Nashik Road, said.According to the officials, the number of trespassing cases has reduced from 624 last year to 523 this year. “It is a drop of 16%. However, the fine collected from those flouting the norms and jumping the tracks has gone up by a whopping 162% during the same period,” the officer said.The officers felt that the installation of elevator and escalator at the railway station has played a major role in bringing down cases of trespassing. “The elevators were installed at Nashik Road railway station in June 2017, while the escalator was installed in June 2018. Besides, extensive awareness measures were carried out among the passengers,” the officer said.According to the RPF officers, they had collected Rs 48,110 as fine from offenders between January and September last year, which has gone up to Rs 1.25 lakh this year. The biggest factor for the rise in the fine is the penalty ordered by the court. “We can only propose for stringent punishment, including increase in the penalty. It is the prerogative of the court whether to penalise the offender or just release him with a warning,” the officer added.The officer said that most offenders caught jumping tracks were locals, who would rush to catch the train or even head to the bus stops after deboarding from the trains.“Locals or daily travellers to Mumbai or Bhusawal , who are well aware of the station layout, dare to jump the tracks. The presence of RPF personal during rush hours has helped deter youth or locals from committing the crime,” the officer said.Local commuters said that climbing up the stairs was a major problem, so people would jump tracks.“The Railways installed the railing, then the elevators and now the escalators. Now, we just have to reach the escalator to reach the footover bridge that takes us to the other side,” Chandrashekhar Kathe, a Nashikite said.

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