The lifeline of India is turning out to be a deathline. Oft bragged as the biggest transporter of Indian population, the Indian Railways has become a threat for the common man who chooses to travel in it. Khatauli rail accident has brought to the fore the lackadaisical attitude of railway authorities in security and track maintenance.
Initial investigation has revealed that track was being repaired without following the norms. No deadline was being followed, and the maintenance work was being done on an ad hoc basis. Ideally, repair time should be blocked and en route trains should be informed in advance. Red flags should be put in place. No such measure were taken.
Clearly the accident was a travesty of human judgement. In fact it was blunder which cost a score of lives. A recent Niti Aayog study has pointed that 87 percent of Railway accidents are due to `human failure.’ Clearly the Railways are no stranger to such human errors. Inspite of spike in accidents the Railways have yet to take serious measures to curb mishaps.
The government is trying to bring sea changes in the functioning of the Railways, but has failed to initiate ground level changes which can stem such tragedies. Focus is too much on profit building moves and less on safety measures.
It is no wonder that the accident has given the political parties and people to question the Modi government moves to operate bullet trains.
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