Derailed Railways

Indian Railways are now in complete mess.It seems there's no administration worth the name to look after such massive network like Railways.Rail carries millions of people and is considered the main life line of our country.Rail is also the largest employer in public sector.What's very alarming is the safety and security of Railways are at the receiving end and so Rail is plagued with frequent accidents People now fear to board trains.Those who're on long journey by trains remain worried all the way and thank providence when they reach their destination safely. In fact, no body can assure a passenger that he/she would travel safe and reach the destination.What's very worrying again is more often that not faults in railway tracks are found to be root cause of accidents as they're not well maintained.In the recent derailment and head on collision between Guwahati-B'lore and Azimganj-Malda Passenger near Malda soil below the railway track was found to have subsided due to rains.It was not earlier detected for sheer lack of supervision.

Again, railway men sometimes badly lack their sense of responsibility.In the accident referred to above the guard of Guwahati express who remained unhurt after the accident didn't allegedly care to inform the station master of the nearest station with the help of his walkie talkie so that he(station master) could halt Azimganj Passenger there.Or he could show the in-coming Azimganj Passenger red signal from his lantern.In fact, he did none of the two.What a callousness!

Most of the Railway accidents now occur because of human errors.In post accident rescue operation and other related crisis management activities Rail's performance is far from satisfactory. Introduction of large number of new trains without upgrading infrastructure to bear the burnt has made the matter worse and also contribute to frequent accidents.

Rail has decreased man power sufficiently and so there're fewer people to check tracks and railway equipments regularly or properly.What's unfortunate, Rail has failed to press into service the much talked about anti-collision devices as yet reportedly due to lack of fund.It's difficult to think Rail stakes people's lives for financial constraints.

Passenger amenities have also touched almost rock bottom.Quality of food served from Railways pantry cars are normally poor and some times inedible.What's more,incidences of passengers being roughed up by employees of pantry car services of mail or express trains are now almost daily occurrences.New Railway minister is expected to take proper initiative to address the problems and put the Railways on right track.