ದಿ ಹಿಂದೂ ಸಂಪಾದಕೀಯ “Take the gauntlet: The Hindu Editorial on safety and the Indian Railways”   ಬಳಸಲಾದ Idioms and Phrases 

ದಿ ಹಿಂದೂ ಸಂಪಾದಕೀಯ “Take the gauntlet: The Hindu Editorial on safety and the Indian Railways”   ಬಳಸಲಾದ Idioms and Phrases 

On October 11, a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train fast enough for 13 bogies to overturn and one to catch fire, in Kavaraipettai near Chennai. No casualties were reported, although several people were injured. No deaths and swift post-event action would have rendered this incident less significant if not for the recent spate of railway accidents across zones, spotlighting the oft-precarious conditions of trains, the infrastructure they need to operate, and the people and goods they transport.

‘Kavach’, the Indian Railways’ train protection system of choice, is designed to avoid such incidents, and the government can install it across its entire network in a decade with as little as 2% of its annual capex. Of course, the effects of its implementation will become clear in a similar span of time, not in a few months as some in the political class are demanding. This said, if the seemingly straightforward causes — due to which a naive decision to reroute a train can turn into the reason for a major accident — are a sign of the precarity of the railway infrastructure, ‘Kavach’ coverage plus overhauling existing signalling systems should be a national priority but cannot be considered a silver bullet.

The long-standing delay in improving safety could be symptomatic of shortfalls in multiple areas. For example, the staff of the Railways matter for safety too. Recent media reports have revealed deplorable working conditions for East Coast, Western, and Central Railways locomotive pilots, including 12-hour shifts, unhygienic resting facilities, and the absence of toilets on engines. Even with ‘Kavach’, rail safety will require constant vigilance, yet this vigil is threatened by access to basic amenities competing for attention.

Overall, the Railways' revenue growth has slowed while its dependence on budgetary allocation for capex has increased. Both high-density routes and high-utilization routes often report more than 100% network utilization, and there are signs it has still to recover market share lost during the COVID-19 pandemic to other passenger services. The Railways cannot improve safety in a vacuum but must address all these stressors in consonance.

Finally, the government’s response to recent accidents has included counter-terrorism investigators as well. While this is due diligence, their presence and involvement should neither distract India from the Railways’ needs nor allow the government to hide behind a veil of secrecy.

1.  Take the gauntlet

• Meaning: To accept a challenge.
• Example: "The Indian Railways must take the gauntlet and address its safety issues head-on."

2.  Silver bullet

• Meaning: A simple, seemingly magical solution to a complex problem.
• Example: "The implementation of 'Kavach' is not a silver bullet for all of Indian Railways' safety problems."

3.  Spate of accidents

• Meaning: A large number of similar incidents happening in a short period.
• Example: "The recent spate of railway accidents has highlighted the need for better safety protocols."

4.  Spotlight

• Meaning: To focus attention on something important.
• Example: "The accidents have spotlighted the precarious conditions of the railway infrastructure."

5.  Overhauling

• Meaning: To take apart and improve or repair thoroughly.
• Example: "Overhauling the existing signalling systems is essential for improving railway safety."

6.  Long-standing

• Meaning: Having existed or continued for a long time.
• Example: "The long-standing delay in improving safety is symptomatic of deeper issues within the railway system."

7.  Constant vigilance

• Meaning: Continuous, careful monitoring or attention.
• Example: "Even with advanced safety measures, railway operations will require constant vigilance."

8.  Competing for attention

• Meaning: When different needs or demands vie for focus or priority.
• Example: "Basic amenities for the staff are competing for attention with the focus on improving train safety."

9.  Cannot improve in a vacuum

• Meaning: Improvement cannot happen in isolation without addressing related issues.
• Example: "The Railways cannot improve safety in a vacuum but must address all related factors in tandem."

10.  Hide behind a veil of secrecy

• Meaning: To conceal something under the pretense of confidentiality or hidden motives.

Example: "The government should not hide behind a veil of secrecy when addressing railway safety concerns."