Letter to BS: Why unmanned crossing is reality of life in many countries?

Every time one is careless or negligent resulting in an accident at an unmanned railway crossing, the Railways are blamed. Why? An unmanned crossing is the reality of life in many countries. The European Union has 47 per cent of its rail crossing unmanned. And 28 per cent of its rail fatalities are at level crossings. Every year, around 300-400 people are killed at level crossings, both in the EU and the USA. So our casualties are not something unique. It is not at all difficult to exercise the necessary care and diligence while crossing it. But when an accident happens, it is the owner of the bigger vehicle who is presumed to be at fault in India. 

But look at it another way. If there are 3,500 unmanned crossings, then with an eight-hour shift, this is an employment opportunity for 10,500 people. Yes, you need money for the infrastructure. Why haven’t the MLAs and MPs of constituencies with unmanned crossings spent their money in removing this killer? And do you think if there are manned crossings, accidents will stop? Just spend one day at a manned crossing and see what happens. After all, we are the most indisciplined lot in the world – thanks to the fact that “civil disobedience” has been glorified even after independence. The only people who deserve our sympathy are the innocents who become a victim of collateral damage due to the foolishness of one person. It is time the Railways stated publicly that it is not responsible for accidents at unmanned crossings. And let us stop this vote catching tamasha of compensation for those who are careless and foolish. Instead the money should be used to devise ways to prevent such accidents. 

T R Ramaswami  Mumbai 

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