Safety goes off the rails - The Hindu

Safety goes off the rails - The Hindu

The above link is about safety issues related to Indian Rail system. There were 4999 rail and weld fractures during April 2012-January 2013 over 64000 km rail network. Alert gang men identified these problems and thus could prevent rail accidents. Government requires 1.4 lakh rupees over next five years and expressed its inability provide this money to address safety issues. There are about 90000 vacancies related checking of safety issues which the railway minister promises to fill up.

There will be huge cry whenever fares are increased. However, one should realize that there will be compromise mostly with safety when we try to cut costs. Those who raise voice when fares are increased also should not raise voice when their wages are not raised or allowances are not raised. Where from anybody gets money to meet the costs without raising the income. Corruption should be fought and one should ensure and be vigilant that we do not get cheap quality product or service for the money spent.

But, we should understand and help the authorities also when charges are increased and cooperate so that our own safety during travel can be taken care.

Else, the bleeding companies (in road, rail, air, sea transport related) will only risk our lives.

Rail fracture - alert villager saves 1200 lives

An alert villager sleeping in a house near the railway track heard loud sound and found 35 mm crack on the rail during the inspection. A train passed over the track few minutes earlier and found another train coming on the same from the light focus in the night. He could alert and stop the train by waving red cloth. It is reported that such cracks are possible due to temperature variations and do occur during the time of the year (winter?).

The brother of the alert villager also alerted the authorities about similar fracture just 72 m away from the place of this incident.

The news paper report can be found here.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Villager-with-a-keen-eye-prevents-train-crash/articleshow/10798150.cms

If this is the case, entire track should be checked for its integrity without waste of time. If the cracks are common as reported, then whether the cracks are appearing only in this section of rail track or all over the country should be found and quality checks of the rails and review of rail specifications should be done immediately. A decision also needs to be taken to replace the tracks at regular intervals, if the cracks do appear after certain length of service.

The alert villager needs appreciation and be recognized in public forum for his service.