Editorial
Train-bus collision
Whose negligience?
It seems that the authorities are least concerned with the many unauthorised and unmanned railway crossings that continue to be the cause of train-bus collisions and deaths with disturbing regularity. The two accidents that occurred in Jessore and Comilla on the 19th of Feb is a stark reminder of the lackadaisical attitude towards public safety.
The rail crossing at Shashidal in Brahamanpara in Comilla was unauthorised and as such had no gateman, while the one at Rajarhat in Jessore was authorized but had been left open. In this instance, we are told, the gateman forgot to close the gate because he did not hear the whistle of the approaching train in time to react appropriately.
These two accidents divulge a picture of very shoddy management of rail-road crossings. We are given to understand that there are more than a thousand unauthorised rail crossings in the country, and the only means of ensuring public safety is a notice-board warning, cautioning the public to look out and cross the point at their own risk. The bus drivers must also share the blame for not being careful enough at these points.
Admittedly, with the increase in road network number of such crossings has increased. Some of these roads belong to the Roads and Highways Department while the others are local union or district board roads. But whoever may have constructed these roads, the fact is that these are frequented by vehicles as well as pedestrians.
We would like to think that there are ways of guaranteeing security of the train as well those using these crossings than what we have at present. Regrettably, even many rail gates that are supposed to be manned remain unsupervised, as was the case in Jessore. The public would want prompt corrective measures in this regard.
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