Stay Alert - Railfanning is not a safe hobby !!

20:00

I open my maps app and check the distance to Hebbal from the place I was in a crowded bus on the outer ring road. It says 2 km and can be reached in 8 minutes with the current traffic status. 

With every passing minute, it seemed impossible to reach according to prediction. All of a sudden,

my bus enters service road and Hebbal is reached by 20:10

I then decide to head below the hebbal flyover where once I had caught this

The light would be perfect and I can immediately board a bus back home. The first problem started here,

The light from the advertising boarding on the flyover were switched off. The next option was the Hebbal station, walking along the track seemed too risky ( It was pitch dark and could see some guys sitting on the tracks. So a quick check on the NTES app ( Train was yet to depart from source ) and with the signal still in danger. I decided to head to the station by a small road next to the traffic police station. 

I entered the platform and decided a spot next to the station board where there was good amount of light. I checked the Ntes app again and it showed that the train has departed on time which means it is expected any time now. I was facing towards Yesvantpur side and turned back to check on the signal ( if it has become proceed or not ). It was still Danger. I had crossed 2 guys while I was entering the station and one of them was standing on the opposite platform facing towards me. I got a doubt and turned back, saw the other person near the station.

My mind went straight to 2008 when 4 grownups corned me and my friend near Yesvantpur in the same manner. My friend lost his phone in that incident after a fight.

And I quickly realized fighting will not be a good option as I am not sure how many were around and clever thing to do was to head to a safe spot. Luckily since I was in the station, I headed straight to station master cabin which was just 100m away. Those 2 guys followed me until the cabin and stopped. One guy jumped into the bushes. The other guy came near me. He waited for some time to see if I was moving and since I was right in front of the cabin. He went out of the station. I waited there till the train passed and walked on the ring road to the bus stop. I was lucky to escape without any issues.

I initially taught of not mentioning this but since many people follow my work. I wanted to inform you all about this to be safe. Railfanning is not a safe hobby especially in India. Either an official will question (which is fine as they have the right) or the anti-social elements will try to take advantage of you. 

So always choose a safe place for train spotting and always be alert of your surroundings.

The video during which the above incident happened