Anupam Kher promotes passenger safety

Mumbai: After superstar Amitabh Bachchan, the central railway (CR) has now roped in Bollywood actor Anupam Kher to promote passenger safety.

Mr Kher on Saturday boarded the 2.24pm local from Bandra and travelled in the first-class coach along with railway officers and media personnel to Goregaon. He urged people not to cross the tracks and instead use foot over-bridges (FOBs). Having landed in the city on June 3, 1981, Mr Kher will complete 37 years in Mumbai on Sunday.

Chief public relations officer (CPRO) of CR, Sunil Udasi, said, “Mr Kher shot for the social cause ‘Ek Safar rail ke sath’ in the heritage building of CSMT. In the short filmhe appeals people not to cross the tracks, not to trespass, and keep railway premises clean.”

Mr Udasi said that Mr Kher also shared his own experience of the railway, rail travel and consequences of track crossing.

Speaking with reporters onboard the Goregaon-bound local, Mr Kher said, “I came to this city with bag and baggage on June 3, 1981, to test my fortune in the cinema and entertainment industry. As I complete 37 years on Sunday, I wanted to travel between CSMT and Bandra in a local train. People travel in local trains with a great amount of struggle. The city has given everyone an opportunity to fulfill his or her dream. Those people, too, have travelled in local trains.”

Recalling his struggling days, Mr Kher said, “I used to travel in a local from Bandra to CSMT and observe people. After some years, these people served as inspiration for many characters I played.”

Asked about the changes that had occurred, he said that the people had not changed and were still in a hurry. However, safety must come first, he cautioned. “The train is looking clean and is on time,” he said.