The train accident near Kanpur on Sunday morning, which claimed the lives of more than 100 passengers, is one of India’s worst train disasters in recent times. Eyewitness accounts indicate the crashing sound heard at the time of mishap was louder than an explosion. I can very well imagine the trauma of survivors, as I was involved in a rail mishap at Majri near Chandrapur in Maharashtra a few years ago and had a providential escape. It takes years to come out of such an experience. Close to 40 per cent of the population is said to travelling at any point of time. The immediate focus should be on rehabilitation of the victims and families, but the challenge before the railways is to instill confidence in people with adequate safety measures.
Srinivasan Umashankar, Nagpur
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