I find these Indian railway programmes compulsive viewing. Not especially for the trains themselves but for everything that surrounds them, the people, the way of life, the scenery etc. Similar ones that have been on TV in recent months were 'The Bombay Railway' and 'The Monsoon Railway'.
Did anyone see an article in the papers a few weeks ago about Indian Railways? Apparently 'Health & Safety' has now arrived in India! As from this month the Mumbai (Bombay) Railway has announced that a train will be stopped immediately if a single passenger is spotted travelling on the roof! :dft005:. They accept that this might cause 'considerable disruption' initially but it is in preparation for improvements such as further electrification and wi-fi implementation. All sounds a big step forward from the hill railways doesn't it!
Did you know that in 2008 on the Mumbai suburban railway network an average of
17 people died every day . The greatest number of deaths were
1. People hit while walking along the tracks
2. People falling or pushed from the train (no doors)
3. Hit by trackside object while sitting on or hanging from the train
4. Electrocuted while on the roof
5. Crushed on the train. The report states that at its busiest there can be '16 standing passengers per square metre of floor space on the train'. (I'm not sure exactly how big 1 sq metre is but I'm sure this must be a misprint?).
Most Mumbai stations don't have a well stocked first aid kit but all have plenty of sheets to cover corpses.
Primary Source:
Times of India using India's Right to Information Act - reported
Times (UK) 18.2.2010
Sounds like 'health & safety' will not be before time. Makes you think doesn't it.
Bob