Will Thane mishap’s culprits stand up?

A girder from a bridge at Kopri collapsed on a pipeline, which fell on a train killing three and injuring many other commuters. The effect was that trains were paralysed for long hours, while authorities passed the buck. DNA asks if there are lessons to be learnt from the tragedy.

Expert View

Corruption hampers disaster control measures
The Thane railway accident is certainly a prototype of negligence, the Thane Municipal Corporation and the Central Railway administration are blaming each other. But the fact is that the state government is responsible for the mishap. The onus of the safety and security of the people lies with the state. Even after the accident, it took more than three hours to rescue the trapped motorman who was struggling for his life and died. This accident has once again revealed that we are unprepared. All the disaster management techniques devised by the state are falling apart. While plans exist on paper and the implementation is blocked by  corruption.  
—Uttam Jain, architect & urban planner

Latest safety gear needed
There is a lackadaisical culture prevailing in our country. After any crisis there is a lot of hue and cry, but later with passage of time we forget everything. Even the authorities wakes up after a mishap has occurred. We have seen this repeatedly as we have seen during the July 2005 flood or the November 26 Mumbai terrorist attacks. The state may build an infrastructure, but it is also its responsibility to maintain it. Secondly we must have all the required equipment, which can be pressed into service in the event of a calamity. Modern implements may help save lives. If we had good apparatus, we could have saved the life of the motorman. The rescuers spent more than three hours to rescue him. There is no place for delay in rescue operations.
—Janaki Andhariya, professor, Centre for Disaster Management, TISS


Order inquiry, make report public
It is sad to see that the Mumbai suburban railway system should get severely affected due to a damaged bridge falling on a running train which ultimately claimed the lives of the train’s driver and another commuter. The personnel and contractors responsible for the maintenance of the bridge,  must be hauled for gross negligence. They should have ensured that the structures were inspected as when the location involved was over the ‘lifeline of Mumbai’. The government must order an inquiry into the incident. The report must be made public.
—S Krishna Kumar

Crisis highlights need for CEO
The crisis unleashed after the mishap at Thane on Friday and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and many other incidents have highlighted the need of a chief executive. The CEO must be in charge of managing the affairs of the city. Mumbai, contributes about 30% revenue to the national exchequer and is considered the financial capital of the country, must be given its due. We do have a CM and other ministers but their attention is concentrated on the entire state. The criteria for appointing the CEO should be fixed by the citizens. Merit and welfare of Mumbai should be the sole consideration for the job.
—M Balasubramanian

Politicians don’t seem concerned
A few days ago, a major accident occurred at Mathura and now another one has happened in Thane. If we investigate the cause of both accidents, it is very clear that there has been negligence on the part of the respective authorities. In case of the Thane mishap, if the bridge was not safe then why was it not repaired? Even the
motorman died because rescue efforts were not effective and fast. This is happening because, politicians and bureaucrats don't value life. Why can't they ensure our safety and protection?
—Navneet Kaur

Expedite work in public interest
Mumbaikars are becoming immune to all kinds of disasters. It is shameful that till date no one has been held responsible for such tragedies. I have friends who reside in Kalyan and Ghatkopar who were stuck in the traffic jams for almost five hours. They managed to reach home late in the night. Rather than discussing the issue we need answers from the authority. Rather than reacting after such incidents occur, its time to ensure that work goes on in full swing on other bridges and flyovers, which are in a pathetic condition.
 —Neel Shah

Utilise budget properly
What happened at Thane last week is saddening, but government alone cannot be blamed for it. People are at fault as a few of us don’t pay taxes on time. This hampers the government’s efforts at repairing and maintaining public infrastructure. They must ensure that the funds allocated for the purpose of maintaining infrastructure, must be spend on the upkeep of the same. They must not be pocketed by a few corrupt civil servants. Nevertheless, people responsible for this mishap should be pulled up.
—Ghita Pereira

Stage mock rescue drills
People have paid with their life due to a dispute between the Thane Municipal Corporation and the Central Railways. One authority says that it has dispatched a letter to another, but its responsibility doesn't end with that. To avoid such accidents, authorities need to take heed of citizens' grievances. They must provide assistance readily when mishaps occur, only this will restore the faith in the government. There must be rescue drills conducted on trains, which are the key network; otherwise disaster control plans will always remain on paper.
—Sarah Tharkan