Forget bullet trains, ensure rail safety: CPI-M

The CPI-M on Wednesday urged the government to give priority to rail safety instead of pursuing grandiose projects such as bullet trains.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist statement came in the wake of the near simultaneous accidents involving the Kamayani Express and the Janata Express in Madhya Pradesh.

"Accidents on the railways are happening with alarming regularity. Yet, the railway ministry and the government have not woken up to the dire conditions of the railways and the abysmal safety standards," it said.

"As usual, an enquiry will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety with no real outcome.

"Instead of pursuing grandiose projects such as bullet trains, the (Narendra) Modi government should get down to giving priority to safety in the railway system and ensuring that the track, signalling and safety equipment are upgraded without delay," it said.