Modi Govt. blatantly ignoring Railway safety, says Congress

The Congress on Sunday questioned efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in ensuring Railway safety and demanded strong initiatives in this regard to prevent Muzaffarnagar type rail accidents from occurring.

Fourteen coaches of Puri-Haridwar-Kalinga Utkal Express derailed in Muzaffarnagar's Khatauli area on Saturday evening in which 23 people have lost their lives till now and 40 are said to be injured.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said that rail accidents have become a usual affair in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime.

"The Congress expresses grief over the loss of lives. Such train accidents have become a usual affair in India. This is the 27th rail accident during the Modi government. In the BJP tenure, 259 people have lost their lives and around 900 people have got injured in different rail accidents," said Surjewala.

The Congress leader further added that the ruling BJP is not even learning anything from frequent rail accidents and demanded to strengthen the railways security.

"The prices of ticket and platform ticket have been increased, Railway safety cess has also been levied but the safety is missing. Why is the Modi government not investing in railway safety? The Modi government is not learning anything from the railway accidents. Strong measures should be taken for ensuring railway security," he added.

However, the rescue operations got over yesterday and restoration works is underway following the deadly Puri-Haridwar-Kalinga Utkal Express derailment.

This was informed by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, who also announced an ex gratia of Rs 3.5 lakh for the kin of those who have been killed, Rs. 50 thousand for those who are seriously injured and Rs. 25 thousand for people with minor injuries.