NALGONDA, January 4, 2015
58 deaths, including 50 suicides, have been reported on this stretch in 2014. According to locals, some victims come to Yadagirigutta to offer prayers to the God for the last time before ending their lives.

The 43-km stretch on either side of Bhongir Railway station on Secunderabad-Kazipet railway line has turned a suicide zone in the past few years.

As many as 58 deaths, including 50 suicides, were reported on this stretch in 2014 alone while Secunderabad-Guntur, another railway line passing through Nalgonda, accounted for another 41 deaths though the stretch is 134-km long.

Shockingly, as many as 15 deaths including 12 suicides were reported only at one point between Bhongir and Raigir stations, which is seven kms from each other, during the year. As many as 10 suicides were reported at milestone 238, a km from Bhongir station.

In November last, a woman Dandugula Arunamma along with her two daughters ended life on the tracks.

This particular spot is located on a curve and visibility is restricted to 20 metres as the train emerges after crossing hill. The train driver will not be able to stop the train even if he sees people on the tracks. Thirteen deaths were reported on a 4- km stretch between Pagidipally and Bibinagar railway stations this year.

Speaking to The Hindu, Sub-inspector of Police, G.Janakiramulu, said that these spots were located at isolated places where there won’t be much movement of people normally.

According to locals, some victims come to Yadagirigutta to offer prayers to the God for the last time before ending their lives.Since there were many industries in Bibinagar and Bhongir area in district, many poor labourers came from various parts of the country especially from Odisha and coastal Andhra in search of work, Mr. Janakiramulu said. As many of them used to earn meagre wages and often had no regular employment, a good number of them resorted to suicide out of desperation, he said. Another interesting observation was that many of the victims came from Hyderabad and other places to commit suicide as the place is secluded, but close to railway station.A local, P. Komaraiah, urged the South Central Railway authorities to appoint guards at these spots to save the precious lives .

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/nalgonda-rail-tracks-turn-suicide-zone/article6754038.ece?homepage=true

Keywords: Nalgonda, suicides, Railway tracks, Yadagirigutta