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        The authorities, and the public, should, at least now, learn a lesson from the recent accident at an unmanned Agaram level- crossing near Kancheepuram. Eleven persons died when their van smashed into a train on the Arakonam-Chengelpet sector. Nine of them were village administrative officers from Katpadi and Vellore, and on their way to Chennai — to thank the Chief Minister for acceding to their demands. One of the others was a VAO's son about to join college in Chennai.

        This makes the tragedy all the more poignant. Here were men in responsible positions, men who preach to and make decisions that would benefit the people in their wards. How could they, whatever their hurry, have allowed the driver who. in a fit of adventurism, thought he could beat the train? The track runs parallel to the road for quite a distance. It was sheer recklessness. The drivers and the occupants of the vehicles too are to blame. How can these men at the wheel — one assumes they know the rules — forget these minefields on the track.

        Similar accidents have taken place, and so often that they are still fresh in memory. Just six months ago 17 persons met the same fate when their autorickshaw — these contraptions have come to be known as share auto — rammed into a train at Pudupakkam, just five kilometres from Agaram. One would have thought that this mishap would raise the question of safety. It didn't, probably because these families were not VAOs. And, perhaps, because they were not the 'cream of society' the matter was soon forgotten. Here too it was vain bravado.

        There are 21 unmanned level-crossings on this stretch. The government and the railways have come out with the usual panacea for their irresponsible ommission of not providing the needed safety measures. They have not taken the blame, but have taken the drivers to task — that they were irresponsible. And handed over compensation, as a sop. No amount of money is going to bring back the loved ones to those unfortunate families. But in this case the VAOs ought to have known.

        The argument of the Railways is that not many of these crossings are fit for conversion into manned crossings, because the 'train-vehicle ratio is 2,000 units, far below the required 6,000 units.' There is, however, a plan to build subways at nine points on this accident-prone stretch. The figures are frightening. Officials have it that there are 18,000 unmanned crossings across the country — and 1,116 of them are in Tamilnadu. It is proposed to have gates at 230 and work is on at 90 points. The Railways also plans to kickstart awareness campaigns.

        This is the usually ready reaction (or panacea?) following a mishap. How effective are these lectures and workshops. At the most they serve as feed for the media and a meeting of top officials and often a place to catch up on the gossip. Does all this rhetoric have any impact? Is there feedback, is it sought in the first place? The motivation of those discussing such issues ought to be public interest, not just publicity. They should approach the matter with an open mind and no pre-conceived notions. Their findings should be made public and there should be openness in their talks. Only then will their efforts pay and save many a life.

        Or, will action be taken only if — God forbid — if a VIP (these people too travel by train, at times) is hurt, or killed? Let not the masses wait till then, please.