Elders concerned over increase in train accidents

Initiating the debate on Railways Appropriation Bill, Raghunandan Sharma (BJP) contended, "Rail accidents are increasing in the country. ...We talk about safety but we are reducing expenditure on it."

The government spending on railway safety has declined to Rs 21,000 crore, he said, noting that 15,000 rail crossings are still unmanned and people have not been recruited to man these crossings.

Stating that the government has failed to keep promises that it made to people, Sharma sought time-bound programmes to complete targeted projects on modernisation and electrification.

People are disappointed with the government as railway projects have not been completed in time, he said.

Sharma said neighbouring China was far ahead of India in laying rail lines.

Pankaj Bora (Cong), Tarini Kanta Roy (CPI-M) and Narendra Kumar Kashyap (BSP) also participated in the discussion.