Grim reminder

Thursday’s accident in which a passenger train collided with a school bus at an unmanned level crossing in Medak district, killing 14 children, is a grim reminder of the fact that the largest railway network lacks even basic safety infrastructure on the ground. Instead of focussing on projects that may not take off, the Railways should concentrate on safety and operational efficiency.

R. Prabhu Raj,Chennai

A debate on unmanned railway crossings takes place only when an accident occurs. Soon the issue is forgotten. The Railways should construct walls on both sides of the tracks and prohibit the use of unmanned level crossings till such time as the process of manning them is completed. Such a step may inconvenience people, but accidents can be minimised. What people want is safety, not bullet trains or Wi-Fi facility in trains.

Kshirasagara Balaji Rao,Hyderabad

The worst scenario facing us today is ‘cell-driving.’ One can see it in almost all cities. Parents are seen speaking on the cell phone while driving. Many cross the dividers and drive on the wrong side to save a second or two. Neither policemen nor citizens feel they should follow rules. The roads are waiting for accidents to happen.

S.A. Srinivasa Sarma,

Hyderabad