HOW MANY LIVES? http://www.kochousephchittilappilly.com/view-blog/277/HOW_MANY_LIVES?_/

1. HOW MANY LIVES?
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2. I begin my day reading a few news papers. It helps me keep abreast of the
developments. On 24th September, I opened the pages and was in for a shock. The
news of five lives, including that of 3 year old Nefin, lost in an accident at the
unmanned level crossing at Aroor. It set me thinking. Precious human lives continue to
be sacrificed at unmanned level crossings. Yet, the authorities haven’t figured out a
solution, though science and technology have made rapid strides. Statistics reveal that
about 312 lives have been lost in such accidents over the last 5 years. And how many
more? The question continued to haunt me. I couldn’t let go of the issue, till my mind
conceived an idea.

3. We travel about on the roads, daily. At many cross roads, signal lights have been
installed. Being civilized people, we stop vehicles and permit other vehicles to cross
when the light is red light. It is this simple signal system that stops massive, speeding
trucks, with loads weighing 40 to 50 tons, on a highway. Can’t we employ a similar
signal system in unmanned level crossings? The signal should be controlled by the
nearest stations, on either side of an unmanned level crossing. I have made a pictoral
representation. Normally, a station relays a signal to the next station as soon as a train
leaves and the next station sends a signal back to the earlier station when the train
proceeds further.The selfsame system can be utilized by us. As soon as a train leaves
one station, the signal would be relayed to the next station as well as the signal
system, at the unmanned level crossing, in between. Similarly, when the train leaves
the next station, the signal would be sent back to the earlier station as well as the
signal system. With advanced technology, if there is a cable failure or a technical
glitch, an immediate caution indication can be given at the signal system. The costs
would be negligible, when compared to the huge costs that the railways regularly
incur to build railway gates and to deploy countless workers. In my view, one signal
system may not cost more than 1.5 lakh. Think of all the lives we would save. I’ve seen
many such signals, during my travels abroad. Can’t we give it a thought?

4. We shed tears when such accidents occur. The government and authorities compete
with each other in declaring compensation to the kin of the victims. In fact, a new gate
was erected and a watchman deployed within 24 hours after the accident at Aroor.
But, inspite of all this, precious lives are lost? In fact, the railway gate is really a thing
of the past, installed primarily to obstruct cattle that roamed around, then. Haven’t
we evolved to understand and obey signals? Do we really need a rail gate obstructing
us, to figure out that a train is approaching and to stop? The proposal that I suggest
would cost much lesser. In fact, the railways could do away with the level cross gates
and it’s operators. For better safety, we could install electronic cameras at the signal
and penalize offenders, who jump signals.
Our rail lines have long been stained with human blood. It’s time for the railways and
the state government to act. We often think of complex solutions when faced with
problems. The solution to a complex problem may, in fact, be quite simple.
‘Prevention is better than cure’. I request the readers to post comments, voicing their
suggestions, opinions and questions, if any. I would only be glad to answer them.

5. THANKS FOR READING
HOW MANY LIVES?
www.kochousephchittilappilly.com