In August last week, a Vande Bharat Express from Chennai Egmore was on its way to Nagercoil when a person threw a stone at the semi-high speed train causing damage to the glass window of one of the air-conditioned coaches. 

The train was approaching Puvanur station on the chord line broad gauge section between Villupuram and Vriddhachalam falling under the jurisdiction of the Tiruchi Railway Division.  However, the train did not stop and continued its journey. A case was registered by the jurisdictional Railway Protection Force (RPF) post based on information. 

This was one more in the list of stone throwing incidents at trains reported in the Tiruchi Railway Division this year. 

Railway Protection Force sources said 16 cases of stone throwing were registered from January to October 10 this year in Tiruchi Division.  In one case, the target was the swanky Vande Bharat Express. Sources said 10 cases had been solved and an equal number of persons arrested in connection with the crime.

A comparative analysis by the RPF revealed that there was a reduction in the number of stone throwing cases in 2026 (from January up to October 10) compared to the corresponding period last year when 29 such cases were registered, including one involving the Vande Bharat Express. Twenty cases were solved and 20 persons were arrested last year.

The number of stone throwing cases registered this year fell by about 44%, sources said. The RPF of Tiruchi Division has analysed that the stone throwing incidents at trains were reported mostly in the evening hours. It was found during investigation that the suspects were inebriated at that moment and those residing nearby tracks. 

The RPF treats throwing stones at trains as a serious offence as it can endanger passenger safety, especially for those occupying the window seat or standing near the door and can cause the train to stop, say the sources.  Although there has been a reduction in the number of such cases, the RPF has been taking steps to patrol vulnerable locations during the “high risk” timings. Patrolling and surveillance had been intensified at vulnerable sections at identified locations, say the sources. 

Simultaneouly, public awareness campaigns were organised at regular intervals at various places within Tiruchi Division driving home to the general public the dangers and consequences of throwing stones at trains and how it could threaten safety of passengers.  Coordination was being maintained with the local police. 

Sources said the Railway Board, New Delhi, had sent an instruction to all railway zones in the country that the cost of the damages for the broken window glasses and replacing them with new ones should be recovered from the culprits involved in throwing stones in order to create deterrence.