JOIN US'Train accidents natural calamity'
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday said the twin train accident at Harda in Madhya Pradesh was a natural calamity caused by “flash flood in a local river” amid speculations that poor maintenance of tracks led to the incident.
“The prima facie cause of the incident is stated to be flash flood due to heavy rain,” Prabhu told the Rajya Sabha in a suo motu statement. He declared that a statutory inquiry into the incident would be made by the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
Chairman, Railway Board, A K Mittal told reporters that there was no lapse on the part of the loco-pilots or any other railway staff. He also denied that the accident was the result of poor maintenance of tracks. He said that sudden surge of water might be the reason of caving in of 500 metre of rail track. “The site of the accident was not on the list of identified vulnerable spots during the monsoon season. Patrolmen are deputed at such spots which are on the list and water movement is monitored,” he said.
He said that the track was absolutely perfect and two other trains had passed just nine minutes before the accident.
However, though the railway ministry was not ready to accept it, poor condition of tracks might be the reason behind the accident. Several committees have recommended that the tracks required urgent improvement. Officials have also been complaining that after the exhaustion of safety fund, track maintenance has been neglected.
Political parties reacted sharply over the incident. While the Congress demanded the resignation of the minister, the Left parties said priority should be given to safety.
“Instead of pursuing grandiose projects such as bullet trains, the Modi government should get down to giving priority to safety in the railway system and ensuring that the track, signaling and safety equipment are upgraded without delay,” the CPM said in a statement.
Echoing the same sentiment, the CPI said, “Priority should be urgent repairs and replacement, strengthening of the railway lines, than bullet trains,” said the party.
‘Prabhu should resign’
Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday demanded Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu’s resignation. “What is happening Mr Prabhu? We always considered you to be a good minister. May I remind you? Shastri-ji resigned after a train accident,” Singh said on Twitter.
Singh also took a jab at BJP saying he was sure no heads would roll after the accident as the ruling BJP does not believe in accountability.“Deeply grieved to hear about the deaths in the train accident in Madhya Pradesh. Accountability must be fixed. Heads must roll. Would they? No. Because BJP doesn’t believe in fixing accountability and taking action,” he said. Singh said Prabhu would not resign as Railway Minister as he was in “bad company”. “Madhav Rao Scindhia resigned after a plane crash. But we know you won't you are in bad company who don't know the meaning of accountability,” he said.
PM announces aid
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PM’s Relief Fund for the next of the kin of those who died and Rs 50,000 for those passengers who suffered injuries. This will be in addition to the assistance announced by the railways. The railways has already announced Rs 2 lakh ex gratia in case of death, Rs 50,000 for grievous injuries and Rs 25,000 in case of minor injuries.