This refers to the report "Amid plans for high-speed trains, rate of accidents at 3-year high" (December 4). It is surprising that the railways does not have an air wing equipped with helicopters to carry injured passengers to hospitals, and also heavy equipment such as cranes to remove derailed bogies. Currently, one special relief train is sent to the accident site and the injured passengers are taken to the hospital in whatever transport is available, which results in the loss of precious hours, leading to avoidable deaths. Train coaches are not made of fire-proof material and smart technology is not used for signals.
Even in air-conditioned compartments, there are hammers enclosed in a glass casing for use in case of an emergency, but one is at one's wit's end to figure out a way to break the glass. There are no fire and accident alarms in coaches - the only way for passengers to see if there's been an accident is to peep out of an unaffected coach. There should be a communication system to inform the passengers about any such accidents. Like in air travel, before the train departs, passengers should be given a demonstration on what to do in emergency cases.
Deendayal M Lulla Mumbai
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