MyVoice: Views of our readers 10th May 2020

Relief is not like giving chocolates to a crying baby

The recent gas leakage tragedy in Vizag is a grim reminder of Bhopal gas tragedy in 1985 which claimed many lives and rendered many blind and incurable skin diseases. This is not new to the denizens of Vizag. Burning of Petro tanks of HPCL and burst of gas pipes in Vizag steel are unforgettable and heart rending. We have not learnt lessons from the previous incidents. Negligence and callous attitude of managements and governments paid heavy price - eleven deaths and many others hospitalised in a precarious conditions. Whenever such ghastly incidents happen, such hurried actions like setting up of fact- finding committee, provision of medical treatment and announcing heavy compensation etc., are all common. Monetary compensation cannot resurrect the dead. It is like giving a chocolate to the crying baby. After the situation subsides, the govt and management forget about the permanent solution. This is where weighty responsibility is neglected. But remedy for the permanent solution is not realised. All possible measures should be taken to avert recurrence of such tragic incidents. Such companies which emit poisonous gases should be located very far from human habitation. From time to time all machines should be overhauled. Only expert employees should operate the machines. Medical checkup should be organised to those living around the industries.

Eduri Sreerama Murty, Yellamanchili

The tragic incidents of inward migration

It is extremely sad and distressing that sixteen of the twenty migrant workers from Maharashtra who dozed off to sleep on the tracks after a walk due to exhaustion were crushed to death under the wheels of a speeding goods train near Aurangabad. This is yet another sad tale coming close to the recent mishap at Visakhapatnam. This only underlines the fact that safety on the tracks is not been given due seriousness and weightage by railways despite many avoidable accidents occurring at frequent intervals with impunity claimed lives of people. It is absolutely wrong to pin the blame entirely on migrants because right from the outbreak of Covid-19 and imposition of lockdown they were at the receiving end without money, food, water and proper shelter due to indifference of both the state government and the centre not coming to their despite repeated appeals. Further, their problems only compounded by many not receiving wages for the period worked from their employers. With uncertain future staring at them and indifferent state government crosshairs with centre, they were left in the lurch. Left with no option, the migrant workers belonging to Madhya Pradesh chose to walk to return to their native place. But with police on the highways and check post not allowing them to resume their journey further and callous state government and centre not coming to their rescue, they took to the tracks in the fond hope of reaching their destination but as providence willed otherwise they met the fate on the tracks. As a routine, after their death, the state governments quickly announced compensation to their kin but cared little while they were alive. In fact, as it is the government and the centre not providing succour during their need are solely responsible for their death and any amount of shedding crocodile tears and compensation will ever be able to help wipe the tears of dearest and nearest of the deceased migrant workers, it is high time, centre come out with a firm policy sooner on migrant workers in order to protect and help them in distress knowing that they are the backbone of our economy. At the same time, railways need to prioritise safety on the tracks by improving safety measures so that none meets the bad fate like these sixteen jobless migrants.

K R Srinivasan, Secunderabad