It's June 2023 and it was so weird to hear about a train crash in India. The past few years have been phenomenal when it comes to train safety. Just a few months ago, the Railway Minister had announced a Kavach program which would further enhance the safety of railways in India.
And seeing the track record, it's not entirely unbelievable. However, June 2, 2023 was a horrendous night for thousands of families, many of whom are probably still anxious and apprehensive at the time of me writing this.
The Coromandel Train Accident
While the exact details of the accident are not yet officially public, it seems to be a human error. When a train crashes into a stationary train and then its bogies end up derailing and on the neighboring track, it is a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately, there was also a superfast train coming from the opposite direction which further aggravated the already horrific accident.
I can't even imagine the horror of being inside a train and having your life turned upside down. No matter whether you are in 2AC or in General, the accident has impacted everyone and probably caused deaths across the various classes too.
Today, it's all about the victims and the survivors. I hope they get the adequate medical aid and help. No amount of post-accident compensation will ever compensate for a loss of a limb and definitely not for the loss of a loved one. So let's try to save as many as we can while we still can.
But there is a larger issue to be looked at. And that is the safety of railways in India. While initiatives such as the Vande Bharat, Shatabdis, Rajdhanis are great to portray India's image as that of a fast-developing nation, it is important to ensure we have a strong base. An accident of such scale or of any scale altogether is intolerable when it comes to Railways. With such a vast network of Railways in the country, it is important to ensure fool-proof methods that such errors can never happen, even if willed by a human.
And this is why we need to adapt the Railways to modern technology - even if it comes at a price to the exchequer. Surely, ensuring the safety and comfort of Indian citizens traveling across the country - often thousands of kilometers is essential?
I pray to God to Allow the departed to Rest in Peace and provide as much of a normal life to those injured. As an amputee, I know how drastically life can change - not just physically but also mentally.
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