Safety norms go for a toss

LUDHIANA: The tragic incident, in which over 60 people were mowed down by a train in Amritsar during Dasehra celebrations on Friday evening, has once again highlights the issue of safety of people around railway tracks.

Jaswant Shetra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 20

The tragic incident, in which over 60 people were mowed down by a train in Amritsar during Dasehra celebrations on Friday evening, has once again highlights the issue of safety of people around railway tracks.

Throwing norms to the wind, people continue to risk their lives by crossing railway tracks in various areas of the city. As there is no check on this practice, commuters openly cross closed railway crossings. Crossing a closed railway crossings is in violation of norms and there is a provision to implement fine on people found violating this norm, but generally, no action is taken against such people. The railway police authorities just ignore the practice, due to which there is no fear of law among people and they continue to violate it.

During a survey of different areas in the city, it was found that most of the time, it is the two-wheeler drivers that cross closed railway crossings. At some places it was seen that people cross the tracks even though when trains are approaching. In many areas, residential localities are located around the railway tracks. At many places, the railway authorities have not even installed barriers to restrict the entry of people on the tracks.

Even at the local railway station, commuters are often seen crossing the tracks in a wrongful manner even when trains are approaching. Though, several people have lost their lives in the past while trying to cross railway tracks in this manner, the practice still goes on unabated. While some people term lack of awareness responsible, some call it the soft approach of the authorities against people involved in this practice.

“The railway authorities need to create awareness among people to avoid crossing closed railway crossings and railway tracks. There is also a need to install barriers around the tracks to separate the railway lines from residential areas. The authorities should maintain a strict vigil on the tracks to keep the general public away from it,” said Ashok Kumar, a retired railway official.

Ludhiana railway station director Abhinav Singla said they have installed poles at various areas in the city to keep the general public away from tracks. “The railway employees maintain a regular vigil on the tracks, but public, too, should avoid crossing closed railway crossings and tracks for their own safety,” he said.

Candle march held in Khamano

Khamano: A candle march was organised at Saint Joseph School, Khamano, in memory of those killed during an accident on Dasehra in Amristar, under Principal Anil Kumar Bhardwaj. MLA Gurpreet Singh GP also took part in the march and expressed grief over the incident. A two-minute silence was also observed. MLA appealed to all to be vigilant during traffic on roads and railway tracks to stop such incidents in future. Surinder Singh Ramgarh, Dr Amarjit Sohal, Director of the school Jagminder Singh Bhangu, Retired Commandant Pritam Singh Bajwa, school staff and students participated in the candle march. — Gurminder Singh Grewal

Surgeon offers free surgery to victims 

A senior cardio vascular surgeon has offered free surgery for the victims of Amritsar tragedy. The tragedy on Dasehra left a number of people injured. Dr Harinder Singh Bedi, chairman Cardio Vascular Endovascular and Thoracic Surgery in Ludhiana, said the treatment of any damage to any of the blood vessels entails a meticulous surgery, which can restore blood supply and save the limb. Bedi is one of the senior most members of the Vascular Society of India (VSI) and is the founder patron of the Association of North Zone Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgeons (ANZCTVS). If required, he has offered services of his full super-specialty team to the government to treat such cases without any surgical charge. In active practice for 20 years in Punjab, Dr Bedi feels that this is the least that he could do for the people of the region.— TNS