Project DISHA Brings Stone-Pelting Incidents to Zero in Pune Railway Section

Pune,12 September 2026: A community-based child engagement initiative launched by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Pune Division, has recorded a significant improvement in railway safety indicators in the Pimpri-Chinchwad section, with incidents of stone-pelting and railway property theft falling to zero in 2026 so far.

Project DISHA was launched on January 21, 2026, to engage children living in settlements along railway tracks and address unsafe practices such as trespassing and stone-pelting through regular interaction, education and awareness activities.

The initiative was piloted at Anand Nagar in the Pimpri-Chinchwad section and at Level Crossing (LC) Gate No. 8 in the Ghorpadi-Saswad section. At Anand Nagar, 22 children have been participating in twice-weekly sessions involving storytelling, games, motivational talks and awareness about railway safety and the importance of education.

RPF Pune Division plans to expand the initiative through DISHA centres at sensitive locations across the division.

Priyanka Sharma, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner (SR DSC), Pune Division, said, “The project aims to empower children along with improving railway safety. We aim to gradually establish DISHA centres at 12 different locations. For now, we are going to have a centre at a location about 1 km from the present Anand Nagar centre, as our survey found that the location is sensitive.”

She added, “The target of 12 centres is because Pune Division has 12 RPF posts, and we wish to have a DISHA centre for every post based on the sensitive locations identified in their respective areas. Each centre will also have a library associated with it so that children can have access to books and educational resources.”

The change in safety-related incidents in the Pimpri-Chinchwad section has been recorded as one of the key achievements of Project DISHA. In 2025, the section reported five stone-pelting incidents and two cases of railway property theft. In comparison, no stone-pelting or railway property theft incident was reported in the section up to September 6, 2026, after the launch of the initiative.

The section also recorded a reduction in accidental death and injury cases. There were 13 deaths and two injury cases in 2025, while four deaths and two injury cases were reported up to September 6, 2026.

The project has focused on sustained interaction with children rather than one-time awareness campaigns. RPF personnel have been conducting sessions twice a week, using recreational and educational activities to explain railway safety, discourage dangerous behaviour and encourage children to pursue education.

After more than eight months of awareness and interaction sessions, a validation ceremony was held at the goods shed area of Chinchwad railway station on September 8. Children participating in Project DISHA attended the programme along with their parents and RPF personnel.

A total of 28 children were conferred with the title of DISHA Guide. They will spread messages on safe and responsible community living and encourage and educate their peers at schools and in their neighbourhoods.

The children performed a street play highlighting the dangers of stone-pelting on trains and spoke about their experiences with Project DISHA, their dreams and how the programme had influenced their understanding of responsible behaviour.

Children of RPF personnel and members of the RPF Dog Squad also participated in cultural programmes and a dog show alongside the Project DISHA children.

RPF Pune has planned to extend Project DISHA to other RPF posts and railway sections facing similar safety challenges across the Pune Division.