Editorial
An inexplicable nosedive
Railway is a perfect mode of transport in a populous country
The railway is the oldest institution in the communications sector which still can play an important role in accelerating the pace of trade and commerce, alongside carrying passengers. But reports say that the railway is now beset with many problems including damaged and rundown tracks which make train journeys an extremely hazardous proposition in many places. At least 1500km long track is now unsafe for movement of trains and a few hundred accidents take place a year in the country. Damning statistics, to say the least. While the road communications infrastructure has improved vastly over the years, the railway stands more or less where it was in the past. The railway is moving ahead all over the world along with other modes of transport. But the issue of its development has been neglected in our context. Given the size of the population and growth of trade and commerce, the railway has enormous potential for expansion. With its great cargo and passenger carrying capacities, the railway should not have been limping with so many problems. The development of road or river communications network should not be a substitute for the railway. It is not really an either/or situation. What we need is to develop every sector to improve communication facilities in general. The damaged railway tracks do not only hamper the movement of trains, but also pose a grave risk to the passengers. It is not enough to keep only the major tracks in order. The safety of passengers is an issue that should be taken seriously, regardless of the importance of a route or the number of passengers travelling on it. The unusually high number of accidents can only discourage people to travel by train. The railway authorities have to take corrective measures, keeping in view the safety of passengers, on an emergency basis while a railway modernisation programme is undertaken with vigour.
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