Train accidents raise concerns over railway safety

Islamabad: A rise in train accidents in different parts of the country has intensified concerns about passenger safety, as repeated mishaps continue to affect both travellers and railway operations.

According to information and data obtained by Express News, accidents involving passenger and freight trains have become more frequent. These incidents have included derailments as well as collisions with stationary trains.

The reported accidents have disrupted rail services on major routes stretching from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Sindh. Delays of several hours have become common, leaving passengers waiting at railway stations.

Sources said that since January 1, more than 20 accidents of different kinds have been reported. These incidents have caused at least three deaths and left hundreds of passengers injured. In addition to casualties, railway property and infrastructure have suffered losses amounting to millions of rupees.

Recent incidents

Among the recent accidents, the Tezgam Express derailed near Lodhran, injuring several passengers. In another incident, the Shalimar Express struck a stationary freight train near Rohri. A railway employee, identified as Nadeem Shah, was killed in that collision.

The Karakoram Express also faced a dangerous situation near Khanewal when a coupling failure caused the train to split into two sections. The incident, however, did not turn into a major disaster.

Similarly, the Green Line train, travelling from Karachi to Rawalpindi via Lahore, narrowly avoided a serious accident near Wazirabad. The train was brought to an emergency halt after a buffer broke and track sleepers were damaged.

On April 6, a freight train derailed near Paddidan, suspending traffic on the main railway line. Another derailment involving the Shalimar Express near Shahdadpur added to the disruption.

Safety concerns persist

The repeated accidents have prompted criticism of the railway administration, with critics alleging that the issue has not been effectively addressed despite repeated directives.

Railway sources said the frequency of such incidents has not decreased even though Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi had issued strict instructions and warnings. The continued accidents have raised questions about the effectiveness of railway safety measures and maintenance systems.

The growing number of incidents, along with deaths, injuries and operational disruption, has added to concerns over the condition of the rail network and the safety of passengers using it.