Thursday, July 13, 2006

What do we do next?

Most people agree that transit systems are soft targets - while we can debate endlessly how we can combat terrorism, we also need to recognise that we definitely need to enhance our own transit system security and understanding of what to do in similar situations. A couple of thoughts post the blasts:

A thought on transit safety. While we could get access to superior technology, the challenge is one of implementation, especially in Mumbai, where getting into a train is a daily adventure. Can one ever get the teeming hordes to form a single file, let alone go through a security screen? The answer lies with easing the pressure off the existing transport system through alternate modes - the Mumbai Metro project, better and wider roads (including the sea link), even using the waterways more efficiently (a la Hong Kong). As long as the current pressures exist, I can't see how we could ever protect our transit systems effectively.
And on handling transit attacks, here's some sane advice. This seems to be very city-specific though - as I watched the news immediately after the incident and now, reading the Mumbai Marauder's first-person account of the blast, I realise we'd need a different list. The only tip I can think of just yet is that given the time that official help takes, everybody else on the train needs to get out of their coaches and start helping immediately! More seriously, we need an idea of transit safety that addresses the uniqueness of the Mumbai rail situation. Any thoughts?

4 Comments:

Blogger Mohamed said...

Terrorist is very bad,it bring killing and fear.It's not justified in any rational religion or philosophy.

I don't have any thoughts,but I just wanted to record my hatred towards terrorism and terrorists,
Also I'd like to show my sorrow for the innocent killed in this terroristic accident.

3:50 PM  
Blogger Mr. D said...

It's an attitude thing. Honestly, in spite of terrorist attack every other week in this country, we don't really take safety seriously as a culture. It's also to do with the fact that we're battling far more basic needs like electricity shortage and water and traffic and bad roads and whatnot. Just my two bits

7:11 PM  
Blogger edathua jose said...

hey invisible man..thanx for the great job u guys r doin..i studied in don bosco matunga 3 yrs.. bombay is mine too..i live with my family here in canada..pass on my appreciation to ur wonderful group..INVISIBLE MAN may ur tribe increas...

7:25 AM  
Blogger The Invizible Man said...

@mohamed:
Thanks for your words. I guess most sane, decent people, irrespective of their religion or nationality, feel the same way about terrorism - it's the few nuts who create these terrible situations.

@mr.d:
I guess you're right about the debate between basic needs and security - we've pressing concerns everywhere. The question in my mind is this: Given the shortfall in basic goods supplied, the investment has to necessarily be private to some extent, at least. And private players are going to be scared by the lack of security. Therefore, if there is no security, the investments that will get rid of the shortages in power, water, etc., will be impacted. Am not sure, therefore, that we have a choice here on whether we can take security lightly any more. If we have to bridge the gaps, we need to act now.

@jose:
Thanks for the kind words - much as I'd like to be, I'm not fully worthy of them. I have been in Delhi the whole of this week, and have not been part of the work that my brave friends in Mumbai have been doing. Your words, I guess, are as much for them as anybody else. On their behalf, thanks.

3:13 PM  

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