The train accident near Kuneru saw tragedy struck at night and that jolts the nation. It could have been averted but the rail fractures rarely happen despite keeping a close watch on train tracks. The derailment of the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand express claimed lives of 39 passengers and the causalities touched a new high in the major accident. Strange are the ways of train accidents in the Indian history. In the past, we heard about bomb blasts, head on collision, wrong signal, smoke inside coaches and snatching of fish plates causing trouble and discomfiture to commuters. A panel will be set up for a probing the mishap. Railway Minister must set up a railway safety fund for averting accidents. Safety first should be the first preference. Instead of seeking the resignation of the Railway Minister it is time to look into the ways and means to prevent such serious mishaps.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
