The tragic accident in Ghotki is another reminder that train travel remains unsafe in Pakistan due to the negligence and incompetence of railway authorities. At least 40 people lost their lives and over a hundred were injured when two express trains collided.
The bogies of the Karachi-bound Millat Express had derailed and fell on the opposite side of the tracks. It was then struck by the incoming Sir Syed Express. This incident can be quickly blamed on the driver who has claimed that he applied the emergency brakes but the locomotive didn’t stop and led to the horrific collision. Thus, the responsibility certainly lies with the railway authorities.
It has also been revealed that the train track from Sukkur to Ghotki was declared unsafe but no action was taken due to infighting within the railway ministry. The Deputy Superintendent Sukkur has informed his superiors that the track was in a precarious state and a disaster was in the making. However, the ministry’s inspector instead turned the guns towards him declaring him medically unfit and promoted in violation of rules. Consequently, the matter of whether the track was unsafe was not taken forward.
The prime minister has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident and also the safety fault lines. However, the past shows that such inquiries seldom yield results. The driver is often made the scapegoat or the report is suppressed, leading to no action being taken. The prime minister even has a new railway minister but the institution still remains in shambles and urgently needs reforms.
The prime minister once again reminded that an independent inquiry can only be conducted without the influence of railway authorities. As opposition leader, he had cited the example of Western countries where ministers resign over minor accidents. However, there have numerous incidents in the last couple of years and no action has been taken and no one was held accountable.
It is imperative to make train travel safe. It is the most economical mode of transport for millions of people and we need to protect their lives. The government should revamp the entire system and make a fast, efficient and safe mode of travel. It is also necessary that stringent action must be taken against those responsible for the negligence.
