Nagpur: Following the tragic death of a 28-year-old man while filming a reel on railway tracks, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of the South East Central Railway (SECR), Nagpur Division, has intensified its awareness campaign. The RPF is urging citizens—especially the youth—to avoid the dangerous trend of shooting reels or taking selfies on railway tracks or in front of moving trains. Officials warn that such acts are not only punishable under the Railway Act but also pose a serious risk to life.
Despite ongoing enforcement and public outreach, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of youngsters filming videos and clicking selfies on or near railway tracks. People continue to put their lives at risk by carelessly crossing tracks or creating social media content in railway zones. These reckless actions have led to a significant rise in run-over incidents.
In one such incident on May 15, 2025, Akash Rathore (28), son of Lal Singh Rathore and a resident of Kareli, Gotegaon Police Station, Narsinghpur district, Madhya Pradesh, died after being hit by train number 68817 between Ghansour and Vineki—a secluded section of track. Akash was reportedly recording a reel on the railway line. Despite the train driver blowing the horn multiple times, he failed to move and was fatally struck. His friend Nitin Yadav transported him to Ghansour Government Medical Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The body was handed over to the family after post-mortem formalities.
According to SECR Nagpur Division data, 97 cases of fatal run-over incidents have already been reported in 2025. In response, the RPF has been conducting targeted awareness drives in villages and settlements located near railway tracks. Locals are being informed that entering railway premises without authorization, or filming reels and taking selfies on or near tracks, are serious offenses under the Railway Act and can be life-threatening.
Divisional Security Commissioner Deep Chandra Arya has appealed to residents living near railway lines, as well as public representatives and citizens, to refrain from unauthorized entry into railway areas and from standing at the doors of moving trains for selfies. He also urged all print, electronic, and social media platforms to support the RPF’s safety campaign and help prevent rail-related accidents and fatalities while ensuring the smooth and timely operation of train services.
