Another rail accident has claimed over 100 lives and injured over 200 passengers. The tragic accident of the Patna Express is by far one of the worst rail mishaps in recent years.
There is no clarity yet over what caused such a disaster although track damage seems to be the indicator in the initial stage. As is the general operating procedure, relief of a couple of lakh each were announced and an inquiry has been ordered.
The story more or less ends here. It is a pity that such major accidents happen and we brush it aside as one of those things that need not be taken too seriously.
In fact, there has been no clarity in reasons behind many previous rail accidents. Officials mostly get away with their omissions and commissions. Accidents could be caused by lack of maintenance, lack of alertness or dereliction of duty on the part of the railway staff, or due to system failure.
In case of the present accident, it was a derailment, which goes to show something serious went wrong with the tracks. Initial investigation has pointed to worn out tracks giving way on their own due to lack of maintenance.
Chances of a militant strike are unlikely in the Kanpur sector, where Maoists/Naxalites are not known to be active. If terrorists or ultras commit a sabotage, they would not keep quiet, and would claim responsibility.
That has not happened either. Therefore, overall, the needle of suspicion is on the railways’ failure to ensure safety. Announcing a payment as compensation for loss of lives is an attempt at steering clear of real problems.
Indian Railways has come to symbolise the casualness of operations of various governmental sectors in this country. While the length of rail lines has increased over the years and new services introduced as a matter of routine, there has been a deficit of attention to safety and security, less seriousness about maintenance — which is proving to be disastrous — and widespread corruption in a sector that, until recently, had a separate budget.
Scrapping of the separate Railway Budget reflected the Damodardass Modi government’s attitude toward the Railways. With special focus on the Railway Budget, the Centre earlier was forced to draw up special plans and provisions.
Apart from fares, more trains and routes, there used to be spotlight on safety measures. The Modi government probably found this bothersome. With an attitude of offering no explanations whatsoever to the general population, the government unanimously scrapped special budget for Railways, a practice that had been maintained for ages.
This act would facilitate the Central government to treat Railways as no different from any other department, with a few lines in the budget for it, escaping detailed scrutiny.
Railway Board has been accused of ineptitude and corruption, evident also from Pawan Bansal’s exit as Railway Minister at the height of a bribery scandal three years ago. When wheels came off a running train near Bangalore two years ago, the blame was put on lack of maintenance.
Word went round that several of the bogies that were in service had already run out of their expiry period and rusted. Translation: accidents could happen anytime, anywhere.
Over the years, most railway ministers have pandered to the interests of their own regions, played to the gallery by not raising fares, and eventually created crisis by way of lack of resources to carry out basic maintenance or rakes replacement with new ones. The passengers are made to pay a heavy price. In the minimum, they have a right to know how and why an accident has taken place.
With a Prime Minister who barks at the public for an announcement of his choice, it is amusing to see no direct explanations offered when a tragedy of this proportion takes place. Even children see through the Emperor’s new clothes.
