On Wednesday, barely 50 metres from the main railway station here, towering effigies of Ravana and others were erected during the Dasehra celebrations despite the Amritsar train tragedy four years ago, which claimed 61 lives.
Burning cracker-laden effigies barely a few metres from high-tension electricity wires over the railway track showed complete disregard for safety norms. With its seven lanes of tracks, the railway station is one of Asia’s busiest and largest junctions.
“Just a few metres from where the effigies were burned during the Dasehra celebrations were high-tension electricity wires, which could have caused an untoward incident with hundreds of crackers burst all at once,” said a railway official, requesting anonymity. There was even a possibility of a stampede, putting hundreds of people at risk. In disregarding the proximity of the venue for burning the effigies to the railway station, the district administration has shown gross negligence.”
According to an activist based in the city, “Why can’t the venue be changed to a safer one?” It has been four years since the tragic train accident at Amritsar that claimed many lives, but the administration has not learned any lessons. When the effigies were burned, people were seen crossing the railway tracks; some were very close to the tracks. Ensure all safety measures are in place, and if you don’t want to change the venue, at least fence the area or ground on all sides.”
In the event of an untoward incident, inquiries will be conducted, officials will be held responsible, and some will be suspended, but if precious lives are lost in the process, what is the point?” he said.
In two locations, we have not allowed the burning of effigies, according to Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray. In 16 other locations in the district, senior administration officials approved the burning of effigies after inspecting the locations. We have reviewed the situation at the railway ground as well, and as such we have no safety concerns. We have taken all the necessary safety measures from our end.”