Congress targets Govt., says 'rail accidents have increased in last 15 months'

Expressing serious concern over the train derailment in Karnataka, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday lashed out at the BJP-led NDA Government over its failure to check the frequent rail accidents in the country.

Kharge, who is the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, said the number of rail accidents have increased in the last 15 months.

"The government had assured safety and punctuality in the railways, but even those areas where such incidents were rare are witnessing accidents now," Kharge told ANI here.

"Hope the relief is sent to the people soon and that the satisfactory ex-gratia is also provided to the victims," he added.

At least two passengers died and eight others injured after nine coaches of the Duranto Express going from Secunderabad to Mumbai derailed in Karnataka early this morning.

The accident took place around 2 am at Martur village station in Gulbarga district, near the Maharashtra-Karnataka border.