Amritsar would’ve been brimming with its traditional fervour and a festive spirit before tragedy befell its residents on 19 October 2018. Several people were crushed to death, and scores others were injured when they were hit by an oncoming train.
Reportedly, this crowd had gathered to witness the Dussehra festivities and had spilled over to the adjoining train tracks that offered a clear view of the burning effigy of Ravana. These train tracks are part of the main route in and out of Amritsar – bustling day and night with high-speed trains.
I grew up in a village called Pakharpura (roughly 25 km out of Amritsar). Growing up, the biggest thrill used to be the visits to Amritsar during school holidays to visit my aunts and uncles. When in Amritsar, we would often travel by rickshaws from one part of the town to another.
The most vivid memory of these rickshaw trips that I still carry is, that we would disembark the rickshaw at train crossings when the boom gates would be down in anticipation of an arriving train.
The rickshaw driver would sneak his rickshaw under the boom gates, glance left and right to check for the train and scoot to the other side. Others on bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles, would do the same too.
These unsafe public behaviours around train crossings are prevalent throughout the villages, towns, and cities across India. Back then, I was too young to realise the risk in this behaviour.
Moreover, having grown up in that place witnessing those practices day in and day out perhaps normalised them as a part of life back then.
The point I am trying to make is that when accidents like the one that shattered Amritsar on 19 October 2018 occur, the immediate response is rightfully to look after those who are impacted by the tragedy.
However, once the needful is done, we seldom reflect on such tragedies to address some of the root causes that lead to such events, time and again.
A long-standing acceptance and tolerance towards unsafe behaviours on and around train tracks and train crossings are bound to be the most significant factor in train accidents involving members of the public throughout India.
In most developed nations, train tracks are off-limits for members of the general public. It is against the law to cross train tracks in any manner that is unauthorised and unsafe.
Unfortunately, in India, we may have started to associate this unsafe venturing around train tracks as a pseudo way of life. Indians need to stop turning a blind eye to such unsafe acts of foolishness around the train tracks. Start calling those out who refuse to follow the rules.
People hanging out of crowded trains, perched on train roofs, and accessing train tracks in an unlawful manner, people relieving themselves across train tracks is not ‘cool’ and must be vehemently policed, and corrected. It will take some time to turn the dial, but it is not impossible, and utterly needed.
People must demand enhanced accountability from the relevant authorities and governments towards reducing public safety risks on Indian roads and rail tracks.
However, the bigger need is for Indian citizens to take responsibility for their actions and behaviours towards their safety and the safety of others while using, accessing, and crossing the vast Indian road and train network.
Sanam Sharma is a human resources professional, and a regular contributor to SBS Punjabi. He is a published author, columnist and blogger, who also regularly writes flash fiction and poetry for his blog "Small town boy".
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of SBS Punjabi.
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