Railways need new infra
This refers to “Infratweets: CSR to fund railway projects” (February 18). Railway accidents happen quite frequently—it may be derailment, fires, or any other. Our railway tracks need renewal, as they were laid during the British period. We need new trains. Bridges, too, have become old. CSR can finance these infrastructure needs of the Railways. It is also high time that passengers should get value for their money on train tickets. Even after paying for two-tier air-conditioned tickets, passengers find hawkers in these compartments. Who should be held responsible—the coach attendants or the TTE ? The Railways have outsourced cleaning of coaches to private operators. But the staff of these outsourcing firms are smart—they do not do a thorough job—like emptying the dustbins kept below the washbasins near both the doors of the compartment. They are more interested in passengers filling up the feedback forms, and of course, the gratuity. Once they collect these filled-up forms, the cleaning of the coach goes up in smoke. CSR funds of India Inc can service safety during travel and also help passengers in transport—to and fro from their respective stations. Helicopters must be available to ferry the necessary equipment and relief staff to the accident sites. Even for local trains, air ambulances should be provided, and GRP constables should be given training on the timeliness of getting the injured passengers admitted in hospitals. The ISRO should launch a satellite for use by the Railways. Instead of talking of bullet trains, the government should focus on safety of passengers during travel and the renewal of decades-old infrastructure—tracks and bridges. The government needs to act fast on these areas or soon, the Railways may not be able to run as desired.
Deendayal M Lulla
Mumbai
Late, but not little
The PM has promised to uphold and sustain the historical secular credentials of this nation. For six months now, an off-stage joust between an “executive” PM and his party’s ideology vanguard, the Parivar, had been on. The massive AAP show in Delhi seems to have ushered in a detente. Both would have gained in political stature had this promise been voiced earlier and that makes for a hesitant truce between the two. It would now appear that both the PM and the Sangh collective could be pleased that they have scored over one another from this poll loss, for totally different reasons. The PM’s reform path is clear of roadblocks that were needlessly piled on by ideological diversions and in turn, the Parivar has managed to bring down Modi a peg or two! Such “friendlies” in the Sangh Parivar can only go on till the Opposition joins hands on a significant issue/event. By then, the BJP may have more self-inflicted wounds than it can safely bear.
R Narayanan
Ghaziabad