Train accident, the lessons
The horrendous train accident in Odisha is one of the worst-ever in independent India. While the Railway Board has alleged, prima facie, that there is reason to suspect ‘signalling interference’ and has now sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe (Page 1, June 5), and the Prime Minister Modi has said that those responsible for the accident would not be spared, it is unwarranted that the Opposition is calling for the resignation of Railway Minister. Based on the investigation report, there have to be concrete steps to ensure safety. However, there is a question that remains to be answered. When a railway official is supposed to have flagged a flaw in the signalling system as early as in February 2023, why was there no attempt to address the flaw? Further, as suggested by a reader (“Letters to the Editor”, June 5), re-introduction of a separate Railway Budget in Parliament and having detailed discussion may also be thought of.
A. Jainulabdeen,
