" Odisha Three-Trains Collision Catastrophy "

 Sadly, two passenger trains and a stationary freight train were involved in the accident. It will be simplistic to link the serial accidents to things like signal failure, interlocking etc. It is clearly a man-made disaster that was waiting to happen.

Where is the indigenously developed Kavach, the state-of- the-art anti-collision device? Were these not installed in the three trains? If not, why?

 The malaise lies much deeper. Was the continuous negligence of the Railways in keeping thousands of Group B, C, D posts vacant in its anxiety to achieve economy in expenditure  to create larger profits, the root cause? Conventional wisdom. The numbers of posts at higher echelons were, however, increased manifold as part of the cadre review for quicker promotions.

The Railway seems keener on launching high speed trains than strengthening the present infrastructure. The rickety tracks are not worthy to run high speed trains. The intent is to enhance political gains to reap votes in the coming elections. Money is being spent lavishly for renovating platforms and stations while the trains are not well looked after. Mere cosmetic touch to woo the gullible public.

The Railway Board, has, in the meanwhile, recommended CBI investigation, a clever move to cover up the whole issue of accidents. The Supreme Court (SC) is urged to immediately intervene and restrain the central government from CBI investigation. Let SC order setting a judicial commission for a thorough probe.

Non-compliance of Parliamentary and Statutory Reports is a scam. The government refuses to learn from its history of mistakes and blunders.
Consider Parliamentary Standing Committee Reports condemning Railway's negligence. And worse, what about the damning indictment of the Railway's functioning by the CAG.

But, who cares to peruse these reports and implement their recommendations.

Disempowerment of the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) that reports to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, was in the news recently but for wrong reasons. Can it be trusted? Why is an independent judicial commission not created for a comprehensive inquiry?

Finally, Will Ashwini Vaishnaw the union Railway Minister, like the late Lal Bahadur Shastri ji, own the moral responsibility of the accident and resign or, in the alternative, be sacked by the PM?

A K Saxena (A former civil servant)