Deaths on rail tracks

The deaths on rail tracks are not new to us. If ever one thing is the cheapest in our country, it is the life of poor common people. In the span of less than fifteen days more than 100 lives have been lost in rail accidents. There have been two rail accidents- one in UP and the other in Assam on Sunday. The Kalka Mail derailed between Fatehpur and Kanpur railway stations, resulting in the death of more than 70 and the Puri-bound Guwahati- Puri Express derailed in the Kamrup district of Assam due to blasts by suspected militants on rail tracks as the reports pour in.As routine affairs, the amount of compensation to the kith and kin of the deceased of the Kalka Mail Delhi-bound train was announced and a probe was ordered immediately. The cause of the accident is not officially known but if the media reports are to be believed, the Kalka Mail was at great speed and derailed due to application of emergency brake by the driver. A few days back, a rail accident had taken place due to unmanned gates (Rail Gumti).At this point of time, There are 1453 unmanned railway gates. At all these gates, accident may occur at any point of time.But no attention has been paid by successive Central governments for a long time. Railway is the largest government organisation and connects the country from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. It is the most striking symbol of our unity in diversity. It is the carrier of crores of Indians and foreigners daily. Railway has also given largest number of employments and has been most profitable. At the same time, the guarantee of lives of million of rail passengers depend solely on it during their journey. So rail safety measures must be of the paramount importance for both the railways and the government. But here in our country, these areas are most neglected due to the callousness of the government and rail ministry.Since the former Union Railways Minister took over the charge of chief ministership of West Bengal, the most important ministry has been headless. It has been left to the fate by the UPA-II. And what can be expected in the country where Chief Executive is directionless,helpless,spineless and completely incapable of taking any decision. The UPA-II must awake. Otherwise, its dooms day is not far off.