What is the real problem with the Railways?

The Times of India published its views in today's paper on the Uttar Pradesh train accident that claimed 68 lives and injured 181 others. In its opinion under the headline 'Populist railway policies pushing up accident rate' the paper stated that the populist railway policies adopted by ministers from the Eastern part of the country were pushing up accident rate. The write-up seems to be politically influenced and does not reflects the ideology for which the paper claims it stands. 

The actual problem is not announcement of a slew of trains on the Delhi-Kolkata route by successive ministers from Bihar or Bengal as stated in the article. The real problem is POPULATION. Even today, some news channels were showing images of people climbing on the rooftops of the trains in Uttar Pradesh. One can witness the same situation in many parts of the country. It is the population explosion that has created a problem bigger than the flawed ministerial decisions.

Adding to the problem is the inherent desire of the people to cheat. What will any minister do if there are people who travel without tickets? What will the ministry do if the people themselves love to bypass rules? In case any minister DARES to punish them then all-hell will break loose. Won't the media criticize the minister? If someone from any other part of the country becomes the Railway minister, won't he/she favour his/her state?


A prudent person or in this case, a responsible media house, must meticulously observe any critical situation before passing a judgement never mind what facts they are based on. Yes, the decision by the minsters are wrong but they always are. Favoritism is ingrained in the ways of this country and we all are unfortunately living with it. Let us raise our thoughts beyond the filth of politics and we will be able to see how bad we ourselves are.


Just for the sake of the readers:

http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?pageid=10&pagesize=&edid=TOI&edlabel=TOIM&mydateHid=12-07-2011&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Mumbai&edname=Mumbai&publabel=TOI