Daily Times

On January 10, at least eight people, including six children, died in a train-rickshaw collision near Bahawalpur. According to reports, the gate crossing was left open unmanned and there was zero visibility due to heavy fog. We live in a time when developed nations are operating bullet trains that run at the speed of 200km/h but in Pakistan, our rail networks are damaged and outdated. In many areas, railway track has not been upgraded for decades and trains have been using the same track that was laid in 1886 during British era. Government needs to rehabilitate the railway track.

The recurring accidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of passengers using this mode of travelling. After every such tragedy, the government satisfies itself by expressing grief and ordering an inquiry into the incident but there is no hope that it would bring any change. It is very unfortunate that the accidents of train have been occurring off and on but the government has not given any priority to improving the rail infrastructure. As the China Pakistan Economic Corridor will comprise rail networks too, the establishment of non-vulnerable tracks is crucial.

It is the need of the hour that the government should pay attention to the safety of citizens instead of relying on a century-old rail infrastructure. There is a need to induct modern engines and induct professional staff to run trains. Instead of pursuing a wrong set of priorities, the government should look into the affairs of the Ministry of Railways. A complete overhaul of the rail infrastructure is needed to ensure the safety of passengers. There is also a need to build and maintain a culture of accountability. Any mishap or tragedy that occurs anywhere in the country needs to be probed and those responsible must be held accountable. The government is directly answerable to the public for such tragedies that can be avoided by taking precautionary measures.

It is very unfortunate that the recurring train disasters have failed to catch the attention of the concerned Railway authorities. No investment has been made to upgrade the railway infrastructure for decades. It is the responsibility of Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique to ensure the safety of passengers as well as railway staff. The dilapidated tracks and outdated railway system must be refurbished on a war footing. If the Railways Ministry does not pay attention to reviving this dead horse, more disasters will happen in the future. A train journey is still a relatively cheap source of travel that is used by millions of people daily. Therefore the government should pay attention to the plight of Pakistan Railways. It is criminal laxity and ill-planning on the part of the Railways Ministry that Pakistan Railways is facing a downhill slide. Time has come that serious efforts are made to make Pakistan Railways a suitable mode of travelling. *