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Rail tragedy Amritsar

Kashmir Times. Dated: 10/23/2018 4:51:58 PM

Dear Editor,
It is a matter of shock and tragedy that more than 59 persons died, and several others injured gathered at railway track on festival of Dussehra celebrations at Joda Fatak in Amritsar as trains mowed down people gathered at railway track. The government has been prompt in announcing financial aid to the kin of the deceased and injured. However, this cannot fill the void in families of the dead.
In this case the fault lies solely on people standing on/ near rail track -as it was a just like a suicidal step to do so.
It must be ensured that such tragedies must not repeat in the future by taking adequate measures. The need of the hour is to frame guidelines to keep away gathering of people on any occasion / festival etc near railway track. Also a big sign board must be displayed all along railway track say at the interval of 500 meters to keep away from railway track as a safety measure .
The research and development wing of the Indian railways should consider developing a device that can find well in time the fault / obstructions like if people / animals like elephant etc. are on / very near to rail track -say within vicinity of 50 / 100 meters- to prevent fatal accidents.
—Mahesh Kapasi,
B-49 Gulmohar Park
New Delhi.