1,321 deaths on Delhi-NCR tracks in 2.5 years: Railways name 5 high-risk spots including Faridabad, Shahdara, Adarsh Nagar

In the past two-and-a-half years, 1,321 bodies were discovered on railway tracks across Delhi-NCR, according to data from the Railway Protection Force (RPF). In response, the RPF has heightened vigilance along five stretches identified as the most fatal.

Between 2023 and 2025, deaths on railway tracks have shown a worrying increase. In 2023, 533 bodies were found, followed by 548 in 2024. Up to June this year, 240 bodies have already been discovered.

The five stretches most frequently associated with these incidents include Faridabad station, Delhi Shahdara junction, Adarsh Nagar railway station, Gurgaon railway station, and Rohtak railway station.

Causes behind the deaths

According to TOI, RPF officials stated that most fatalities occur when individuals take shortcuts across tracks. “We caught people who claimed they were in a hurry and chose to walk along the tracks to save time,” an official said.

Several slum clusters are located close to railway lines, and residents often cross tracks to reach markets, schools, or workplaces. Beyond trespassing, other dangerous actions also contribute to deaths, including sitting near open train doors or gates while trains are in motion. Suicide has also been cited as a cause in some cases.

Measures to curb accidents

To prevent unauthorised crossing, particularly along the five high-risk stretches, the RPF has intensified enforcement under Section 147 of the Railway Act, which penalises trespassing on railway property.

Workshops are being conducted regularly to raise public awareness about the dangers of crossing tracks and the importance of using foot overbridges and designated pathways. TOI reports that officials are also coordinating with the Government Railway Police and civil police to identify and apprehend individuals engaging in unsafe behaviour.

“Railway staff are strategically deployed at platforms, level crossing gates and areas prone to trespassing to monitor and prevent such activities more effectively,” a TOI report quoted an official as saying.

Promoting a culture of safety

Railway authorities are urging commuters to refrain from crossing tracks and from boarding or alighting moving trains, both dangerous and punishable offences. Loudhailers, informative posters, and community meetings are being used to spread the message and foster wider participation in promoting safe behaviour around railway premises.

The RPF’s initiatives aim to cultivate a culture of responsibility and caution among residents and passengers, reducing fatalities and ensuring safer rail travel across Delhi-NCR.

Inputs from TOI