Politics over human tragedy is sadly a given. The devastating train accident in Balasore, Odisha turns out to be yet another unfortunate example confirming it. The CBI investigation into the crash, which led to over 288 deaths and over 1000 injured is furiously being questioned by the Opposition. Demanding accountability, transparency, and of course, Rail Minister Vaishnaw’s scalp, rivals Congress and TMC are among others terming the probe as an attempt to suppress the truth.

Three times Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said: “I also gave Gyaneshwari Express case (148 lives were lost) to CBI but no result came. 12 years over but we see no result. CBI handles criminal and accident cases. The Railway Safety Commission is there.” Interestingly, Congress was on the same page.

Party President Kharge has in a letter to Prime Minister Modi said the CBI is ‘meant to investigate crimes, not railway accidents. It, or any other law enforcement agency, cannot fix accountability for technical, institutional, and political failures. They lack technical expertise in railway safety, signaling, and maintenance practices…the people in charge don’t want to admit there are problems”.
 
The train tragedy indeed is an eye-opener for all. The Opposition charge that all the empty safety claims of the Railway Minister ‘stand exposed’ may not be off the mark. There is and should be a serious concern among common passengers and safe travel.

And while the mystery surrounding the devastating crash will take time to be solved, the Ministry must ‘prioritise the installation of mandatory safety standards and equipment across railway routes to ensure the safety of passengers.’ How will the CBI probe bring any clarity? Undeniably there’s a need for serious introspection and there can be no two questions that there is a need for a massive infrastructure upgrade of the Railways, encompassing trains, tracks, and stations.

Modernisation and bullet trains are all very well, but the safety of lives must be the top priority. Governments sadly have shown little intent to address the systemic safety malaise. A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture had criticised the ‘complete apathy and negligence’ of the Railway Board towards recommendations of the Commission of Railway Safety and pulled up the latter.

Does the ruling dispensation ever learn from mistakes, this is a question that begs an honest response. Making comparisons with other major accidents and counting the dead must end! Remember, a stitch in time saves nine…