The recent disastrous tragedy that hit the headlines at an unmanned railway crossing in Medak district of the newly formed Telengana state is perhaps an utmost concern that needs to be included among the top priority of the “things to do” improvement list of the railway ministry. This particular incident claimed lives of 13 children and the bus driver on the spot which some lost lives while taking them to the hospital. A minimum of 20 students injured and undergoing treatment in a hospital.

 Wait, this is not the first of its kind accident that happened. Across India there are 14,000 unmannered crossing and the railway authorities have recorded a total of 514 accidents, resulted death between from May last year to May this year. To add to this, out of these horrific mishaps, a shocking 54 accidents involve school children.

The railway ministry obviously caught up with other issues like up-gradation of new trains and become environmentally friendly, etc. but the authorities ought to chew over the safety of people as the most important problem to get resolved.

Level crossings are left unmannered due to the cost involved in maintaining them. To get on the job the government has to shell out 35 lakhs per year which includes two gateman and also operators.

The fund constrain is definitely a major drawback for the railways, but needs to pull socks up and act.