The Indian Railways may have restrained the director of the next James Bond movie from showing passengers travelling atop trains, but it could not prevent many ordinary Indians from doing so. There must be something about the roofs of trains, especially in the Southern and Western Railways: They have accounted for over 50 per cent of all such riders prosecuted since 2008.

In 2010, nearly 79,000 passengers were prosecuted for travelling on train-tops; up 15 per cent from 68,829 in 2009. Even the 2009 figure reflects an 11 per cent growth over the previous year — with 61,730 prosecuted in 2008.

This year, for the six-month period till June, already 42,564 riders have been prosecuted.

The growth rate in challans is higher than the annual growth of passengers travelling in trains — given that the high base effect comes into play. Is it simply that the prosecutions are higher in the South and West Zones? Or, is it that trains in these two zones are more crowded than others?

Maybe, the propensity of people for thrills is higher in these two zones. Maybe, the trains on diesel traction in these zones attract more passengers. But for approximately 10,000 rooftop riders prosecuted, one ends up losing his life. For instance, 40 passengers died in the first six months this year; 72 in 2010; 48 in 2009, and 51 in 2008. Nor do all those who ride the roofs get prosecuted. So the actual number roof-riders is likely to be several times higher.

>mamuni@thehindu.co.in

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