- Train schedules need to be maintained.
- This leads second priority for release of equipment / tracks for maintenance.
- Punctuality pressure is making concerned not understanding the problem and thus not giving top priority even for immediate maintenance.
- "unofficial work" i.e. doing maintenance on the tracks by putting red flags at 1200 m on either side of the track, but without restricting the speed of trains on the track will even put the lives of maintenance crew on tracks at risk, as it is likely that they make take chance to complete the work before the train passes through.
- If they start and do not complete the work, then all those on the train are at risk.
- Then, the observation of highly educated like degree holders in engineering, business administration etc joining as trackmen do not listen to supervisors also appears to be correct. For unemployed, getting job is first priority. After getting the job at junior cadre, they find that they are monitored by persons whose education levels are at SSC or so but they have become seniors due to experience. This makes ego hurt in some persons with BE / BTech / MBA qualification and leads to disobedience. Their non-cooperation leads to work pressure on others.
Unless maintenance is given top priority and the authority for decision making lies with field supervisor, these types of accidents appear to be routine. Due to availability of smart phones, the field persons can take photographs of the track to be repaired and can send through whatsapp or similar application to their next level official and can obtain permission for work. This will definitely put some control on abuse of authority by field staff but at the same allowing next higher level to make decision immediately and allow for maintenance.
