Dhamara Rail Accident Dhamara Ghat is a small railway station located in Saharsha district of Bihar. The small railway station captured the attention of masses and national media because of the tragic rail accident that took place on 19th August 2013 in which about 30 people lost their lives and many were injured. The rail accident also resulted into the uproar in the Parliament wherein the leaders of various political parties indulged into allegations and counter allegations. Some factual information Dhamara Ghat railway station consists of three railway tracks and two platforms. The two railway tracks are adjacent to the two platforms while the third track lies in the centre of these two tracks is meant for those trains which do not stop at this station. Generally passenger-trains stop at such small stations and these trains are allotted the two tracks adjacent to the platforms while the superfast and express trains are allotted the track that lies in the centre. There is no foot-over bridge on this small station. On 19th of August, there was a local festival celebrations in the temple located near one of the platforms of the railway station. One of the passenger trains arrived at the station (on the opposite platform where the temple is located). This train was full of pilgrims who came to attend the local Mela. Many of the passengers plying in this train did not get down on the platform on which the train arrived. Rather they choose to get down on the other side so that they can reach the temple quickly which was located on the opposite platform. Many of the passengers were in the jubilant and festive mood started singing and dancing. The third railway track which was located at the centre and is meant for express trains was soon occupied by the passengers who got down on the other side of the platform on which the train arrived. Suddenly Rajya Rani Express, which is an express train, appeared with lightning speed on the centre track which was occupied by the passengers who got down on the opposite side of the platform. Rajya Rani Express was not supposed to stop at this station hence was in its full speed. Many of the passengers on the centre track did not get time to run away or escape from the track. This resulted into tragic accident which claimed about 30 lives. Even if train driver had applied the emergency brakes on noticing the track full of passengers it was impossible for him to stop the train in its full speed before the station. According to high officials of the Indian Railways, the driver of the train followed the signals and did not commit any mistake and applied the emergency brakes. Railway officials also said that the train was not supposed to halt at Dhamara Ghat and had been given clearance to pass through the station. Later the mob in anger killed the driver of the train. Political uproar All the political parties expressed their grief and sorrow over this rail accident. Many of the opposition leaders demanded the resignation of railway minister. Some of the leaders demanded the resignation of the chief minister of Bihar stating the fact that local administration should have had acted more cautiously and sensibly on the date of local festival. Ethical Issues Involved: 1. Who do you think is ethically responsible for such tragedy? Are the passengers to be blamed who did not get down on the platform? Can the Indian Railways be given clean chit in this case? 2. What should be done to avoid such rail accidents? 3. Is it ethical for the opposition parties to ask for the resignations from the executives in this case?
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 08:14:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015