Late last night in New Delhi, 1000 odd passengers bound for Bihar boarded their train no.4006 B. To their surprise the train crew decided to take them to Allahabad in UP. A passenger who boarded the train at Kanpur did report to officials that the train was on the wrong track. But the train continued on its own track before passengers pulled the chain and after some commotion the train returned to Kanpur and then headed for Bihar.
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/driver-loses-track-train-leaves-for-bihar-reaches-up/75155-13.html
Though it makes me laugh it is a serious mistake for which no one has claimed responsibility yet. Jittery and speechless railway officials are keeping a tight lip on the matter. The guard of the train was adamant that the instruction was to proceed to Allahabad and the train no is not 4006 B but 4006 A. Now can it get any bizarre.
Don't sleep, watch out the route when you travel next time. You may even in end up in Lahore instead of Chandigarh.
I think it is the weight of Amar Singh in this government, even trains are turning towards UP!
ReplyDeleteAtrocious. For far too long, Railways has been a Bihar/Bengal enterprise through successive generations of ministers. It is a little India so it gves them tremendous clout...they have taken it down on accountability. Curiosly, Laloo has tuned it up fiscally...wonder how that is? Is it that the big shark is keeping the small fry in check because he knows the hows and whys and whats of?
ReplyDeleteLalu just had the guts to question and alter out dated policies on freight and was really savvy enough to know how to earn more through passenger traffic. He is no magician as many would have us believe but is really smart enough. It's another factor that Railways had enough of flab for someone to detect and cut. Railway's real challenge will arrive when our roads get better and trucks reach destinations faster. It is then a person like Lalu's management skills can be tested and judged whether he is good.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that Lalu wanted Railways to prove who is good / better, he or Nithish? I think he won it and is also winning Bihar back after Kosi tragedy.
It's the bane of coalition politics SB, that some portfolios are almost treated as their own by some parties. If DMK is in govt next time then am sure it will ask for same portfolios as it does now. It won't be any different if Lalu comes back. It's not the capability but the no. of MPs that determines which party gets what portfolio. It's not even about the individual's ability. Sad state of affairs.
Ha..ha... but could have been dangerous. Hope the error is rectified.
ReplyDeleteThats true Bala...parties pick the portfloios which augment their regional aspirations.
ReplyDeleteWill fuel prices ever come down? I see a gradual collapse of road transport over long distances unless alternative fuels and technology comes in. Road transport may end up restricted otherwise in feeder capacities from railway hubs - electrified railway hubs.
Obama suggests that 10 years hence he could ensure such technology will be available for commercial use.
SB fuel prices have come down mainly because many hedge funds and investors are closing out their positions to have some liquidity in the unstable financial market.
ReplyDeleteFuel was up partly due to demand and partly due to speculation. Now that the speculation interest is toning down, we see drop in oil. Also if the US economy enters a prolonged recession then we will see further drop in oil demand and in prices. However any escalation of fears of war in middle east would take the oil prices up again.
Alternative fuels and technology are shaping up SB, though it may take time. In fact trucks are most efficient way to transport than railways as multiple loading and unloading activities can be avoided. It is roads and inefficient check posts that come in the way of speedy truck movement.