It was shocking to read that nine tourists were killed in a fire in a railway coach kept in the stabling line at Madurai. Since the doors were locked and padlocked, one was broken down and all the passengers ran to safety, else it would have been catastrophic. Luckily the cylinder did not explode while the train was in motion. The deceased were a part of a tourist group who had booked a party coach from Lucknow on August 17 to tour Tamil Nadu. After having visited several sites, the coach was attached to the Punalur-Madurai Express and arrived at Madurai on Saturday, August 26.
Investigations have revealed that the early morning fire resulted due to gas leak from an LPG cylinder which was illegally taken on board to prepare meals. How is that while loading the luggage none of the railway staff at Lucknow or at the other stations noticed the cylinder and the food materials?
Every party coach should be inspected and certified that no hazardous materials are being carried. The certificate must be signed by tour operators and some of the passengers in the private coach. It is ironic that tourists will spend money for shopping, entrance tickets et. but would be reluctant to buy food from the stations or order online from nearby hotels. By carrying dangerous and prohibited materials in public transports, people put themselves and others to great risks.
