Railways should pull up act: Trinamool MP

In the aftermath of the Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express derailment in Bihar and the railway fare hike imposed by the Narendra Modi government, Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Ray Wednesday said the railways needs to "pull up its act" and ensure passenger safety.

"The railways needs to pull up its act and, instead of imposing burdens on the passengers, it should see that they can travel in safety," Ray said here.

At least five people were killed and 13 injured when all 12 coaches and the engine of the train derailed early Wednesday.

The accident took place the same day the hiked fares were introduced. The government raised rail passenger fares by 14.2 percent in all classes and freight charge by 6.5 percent.

"In our country, there is a tradition... Lal Bahadur Shastri had resigned from his post (in 1956 as railway minister) and even Nitish Kumar had quit (in 1999) after accidents.

"After the new railway minister (Sadananda Gowda) came, suddenly the fare was raised and then the accident also occurred... so someone has to take the responsibility," he said.

However, facing flak from the opposition as well as NDA partners, the government Tuesday announced relief in monthly season tickets and second class suburban fares.

The revised fares in the unreserved segment would now come into force from June 28.

"I want to see what (finance minister) Arun Jaitley, who had spoken in favour of a raise, has to say now," he said.