The train accident near Kanpur saw tragedy struck at dawn 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 Indore-Patna express derailed and the causalities touched a new high in the major accident. As a result of derailment the S1 and S2 coached had telescoped into each other and caused major causalities in the early morning hours. A panel will be set up for a probing the accident. But the dear lives were lost in a major mishap.
Strange are the ways of train accidents in the Indian history. In the past we heard about bomb blasts, wrong signal, smoke inside coaches and snatching of fish plates causing trouble and discomfiture to commuters. Passengers were put to test on many occasions. It is time to have railway safety first as per the budget promises given by the Union Railway Minister. Safety first should be the first preference.
Nickhil Mani
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
