Bhubaneswar: A 19-year-old youth was seriously injured on coming in contact with high-voltage overhead electric (OHE) system while allegedly trying to shoot a social media reel at Mancheswar railway station in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. He is undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.The incident occurred around 5.50 am when Rameswar Dashera of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan allegedly climbed on a stationary goods train at the station, railway police sources said.According to Ashok Gochhayat, inspector at the Govt Railway Police (GRP) station in Bhubaneswar, Dashera arrived at Mancheswar with four friends and alighted from a passenger train in the morning. The group was reportedly headed to a skill development training centre at VSS Nagar. During the stop, Dashera climbed on a goods train and his head touched the overhead wire, the GRP said.He fell on the railway track following the electric shock. Passers-by alerted the station staff after which Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel on duty rushed to the spot and arranged immediate medical assistance.“On-duty RPF personnel immediately rushed to the spot and shifted the injured person to the Railway Hospital by ambulance. After preliminary treatment, he was referred to a govt tertiary care hospital for further treatment. He was conscious,” an East Coast Railway (ECoR) official said.Later, ECoR iterated its appeal to passengers and public, particularly youngsters, to avoid climbing railway wagons, coaches, electric poles or any railway infrastructure for selfies, photographs, videos or social media content.The railways cautioned that OHE used for train operations carries extremely high voltage and could be fatal. Officials said even without direct contact, coming too close to the wire can trigger electric arcing, leading to severe burns, critical injuries or even death.ECoR said Indian Railways continues to run awareness drives through station announcements, posters, counselling sessions and social media outreach to discourage trespassing and unsafe behaviour on railway premises. It also warned that such acts are punishable under provisions of the Railways Act.The railway stressed that tracks and electrical systems are sensitive operational zones and urged public cooperation to prevent accidents and ensure safety.
