Chennai: Taking selfies on railway platforms or inside trains shall soon be a thing of the past, as the Government Railway Police (GRP) is planning to take strict action against those involved in the act in a bid to bring down deaths in railway properties.

The step is being taken following the recent death of a youth who attempted to take a selfie on a moving train. He had succumbed to brain hemorrhage after being hit by a lamp post.

“Travelling on the footboard, roof or engine and clicking pictures is a punishable offence which attracts penalty or imprisonment or both. But there are no separate rules to nab those who indulge in clicking selfies,” Superintendent of Railway Police P Vijayakumar said, adding that it shall soon be incorporated in the rule book.

“In Chennai district, 600 cases of deaths have been reported in one year alone due to trespassing into prohibited areas. So far, 14 cases of deaths have been registered under the accidental fall category,” he stated.

Quoting recent incidents, he noted, “A youngster climbed on the engine in the yard to take a selfie and was subsequently electrocuted. Similarly, another was run over by a train when he attempted to take a picture of himself standing on the track.” Further, he said, an awareness drive is being conducted every Friday to educate commuters about the rules. Speaking on this, an official with the RPF said, “Offenders are booked under Sections 156 and 147 of the Railway Act for trespassing. A majority of the fatal accidents are reported in the Egmore-Chengalpet section.”