ONE TRAIN ACCIDENT IN U.S.A. AND INDIAN RAILWAYS

In Indian Raliways the accident inquiry reports are respected and implemented

– Anant S. Joshi*

1) On 29 September 2016 there was a train accident at Hoboken Railway station of New jersey of U.S.A .At the terminal the train did not stop ,and overshot and dashed to railway building. Resulting in the death of 1 lady and 34 others injured.

2) In 2011 at the same station due to over speed there was similar accident causing 8 deaths and 20 injuries.

3) February 2015 Oxward station in California similar cause of accident  driver died and 29 injured.

In 2012 National Security Board had passed a resolution to install Positive Train Control System on every train by 2015.

But the private railway companies neglected and threatened to stop the train services, stating the system is expensive. Now the government has extended the time limit up to 2018.

After the accident of 29 September 2016, there was a news in the newspapers that the advocate of the driver pleaded to save the driver that there was medical condition regarding driver. The driver would sleep unexpectedly, which was detected after incident. Apart from actions taken against driver it proves that company was not serious about medical condition of driver and also proves that private railway companies are worried for profit of their shareholders than safety of passenger.

In Indian Raliways the accident inquiry reports are respected and implemented.

Regarding medical standard of drivers :

At the time of recruitment “Psyco test” is taken,One who passes can become railway driver.In addition drivers have to go under periodical medical examination. In Driver’s training they undergo on yoga training.

Not only drivers but all railways employees concerned with train operation have to go under periodical medical examination and if anybody found unfit he is given alternate job.

Compare to other countries Indian Railways carry huge traffic but there they give top priority to the safety of passengers.

(* Write is a Retired Mail Guard, Central Railway, Solapur)