Train crash tragedy foretold

Published June 20, 2021
The writer is a former editor of Dawn.
The writer is a former editor of Dawn.

MEDIA is often slammed for focusing on far too many negative things but even if we were to ignore in the name of ‘positivity’ the governing PTI’s appalling conduct in the National Assembly and the unsavoury PML-N reaction it triggered, there is an issue that can’t be brushed under the carpet.

We would if it were not absolutely unambiguous criminal conduct that led to yet another train disaster costing dozens of lives, destroying as many families and plunging them into grief and despair earlier this month. I say “absolutely unambiguous criminal conduct” with great responsibility.

In the June 17 issue of Dawn, exactly 10 days after the train tracks near Ghotki resembled killing fields with human blood splattered all over with dozens of dead bodies and the injured being cut out of the mangled mass of steel that were once carriages, Dawn’s Muhammad Hussain Khan broke the story that higher-ups had been warned of an impending disaster but did nothing to prevent it.

I am taking the liberty of reproducing some parts of that news story which, though the top story on Page 15 (the South region page), may have been missed by readers who did not go through each page. On a different news priority day, it may have made the outer pages.

Just a reminder, PR is Pakistan Railways and FGIR is Federal Government Inspector of Railways. Both are mentioned in the report that underlines the callous disregard for human life:

Higher-ups had been warning of an impending disaster but did nothing to prevent it.

“Sukkur Division superintendent Tariq Latif’s letters, available with Dawn, which were sent in quick succession to PR authorities point out issues confronting tracks’ condition, unwilling permanent way staff, lack of human resource, machinery and ‘missing’ staff in the division.

“He had faced severe criticism from PR management for speaking to media following the tragedy as he had told television channels and correspondents that he had already cautioned authorities against the danger and sought rehabilitation of tracks.

“Surprisingly, the officer in his April 7, 2021, letter addressed (in the wake of derailment of Karachi Express’s coaches near Mando Dero on March 3) to the FGIR stated he (FIGR) harboured grudge aga­inst him for reporting against him about purchase of material for railway stations’ establishment.

“FGIR Farrukh Taimoor arrived at Daharki railway station and then visited Sukkur railway station on Wednesday in connection with the inquiry. FGIR’s team, which conducted inquiries into train accidents, would carry out the probe on June 16-18.

“The superintendent’s last letter dated May 26 was addressed to chief executive officer (CEO) of PR in which he mentioned ‘during inspection ever since taking over the charge he had found the track in a dilapidated state’.

“The letter said: ‘Running was found very much rough, oscillatory, jerky, bumpy, camel riding and fittings, fastenings, joint bolts, fish plates were found missing and loosely packed and not tightened properly.’

“He explained that it depicted the track was not maintained as per required standard specification, track geometry and way and works manual. ‘God forbid, any eventuality may take place. It reflects permanent way subordinate staff is not taking interest in performance of their duties properly although they have been reprimanded time and again and served with show-cause notices and explanation calls.

“He said: ‘They have lost interest in their work and have ceased to be efficient employees as they have been posted in this division since decades’.

“Concluding the letter he sought intervention of CEO in ‘this important safety related issue. Existing permanent way subordinates may be replaced with experienced and skilled ones to ensure proper maintenance of the track, safe train operation and avoidance of any incident on this account’.

“On May 24, the officer drew the CEO’s attention towards ‘dearth of operational officers and officials and staff of essential categories in Sukkur division that is adversely affecting performance, punctuality and safety of trains. Sukkur division has concentration of work during night. Human resource at least in essential categories of the division highlighted earlier has to be as per sanctioned strength,’ ” he said.

“He requested filling essential operational vacancies on priority as this state of affairs had rendered the division vulnerable and said ‘it was difficult, if not impossible, to ensure punctuality, safety and routine administrative work’.

“He went on to state: ‘If any operational hazard takes place, its responsibility will rest with headquarters office in Lahore as posts of 10 permanent ways inspectors (PWIs) grade-II, two PWIs in grade-I and 11 AWIs are vacant and ‘condition of the track is terrible’.

“Earlier on March 11, 2021, while referring to his previous letters of February and November last year, the officer submitted to CEO that ‘in view of safety of train operation, it is again suggested that a comprehensive plan for rehabilitation of track infrastructure may be prepared so as to ensure safe train operation, efficiency of department and to avoid any incident on this account’.

“About the rails, he mentioned that the rails mostly laid between 1962 and 1989 on main line had outlived their useful track life and needed urgent replacement. Mostly sleepers had also outlived their usefulness as they were laid in 1964-1984, he said.

“Citing major issues, he said, ‘high capacity wagons and increase in frequency of trains have reduced maintenance time and is affecting track infrastructure. Old aged track infrastructure needs complete renewal on entire section’.”

The official reaction so far: PR Chairman Habibur Rehman Gilani told Geo TV that the tracks repairs required billions of rupees that can’t be spent as the ML-1 (the fast-train infrastructure under CPEC) will require that this track is discarded and a new one laid at a huge cost.

And the incorruptible and efficient Railways Minister Azam Swati says ‘as the minister’, he does not drive trains or runs the railways on a day-to-day basis so won’t accept responsibility, won’t even consider resigning.

Some of Mr Swati’s illustrious colleagues blamed the PML-N for the tragedy which left office in August 2018. Need one say more? No. Or we might be told how things are done in the West.

The writer is a former editor of Dawn.

abbas.nasir@hotmail.com

  • Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2021*

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