Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express accident on Thursday, holding him accountable for what he described as significant failures within the Indian Railways.
The incident resulted in the reported deaths of two individuals and injuries to numerous others. Kharge accused PM Modi of prioritizing self-promotion over addressing critical issues.
“The derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express in UP highlights how the Modi government has compromised rail safety systematically. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and our thoughts are with the injured,” he stated.
Kharge pointed to a previous incident where 11 fatalities occurred in a collision involving a goods train and the Sealdah–Agartala Kanchanjunga Express, citing findings from the Commissioner of Railway Safety that labeled the incident as foreseeable. He highlighted failures such as malfunctioning signals, operational mismanagement, and the absence of essential safety equipment like walkie-talkies for train personnel.
The derailment of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express in UP, is yet another instance of how Modi Govt has systematically jeopardised Rail safety.
Our deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved, and our thoughts and prayers are with the injured.
A month ago, 11 people lost…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 18, 2024
Kharge urged for the immediate installation of the Kavach anti-collision system across all railway routes in India to enhance safety measures and prevent accidents.
“The responsibility for the extensive lapses in Indian Railways lies squarely with PM Narendra Modi and his Railway Minister, who often prioritize self-promotion. Our sole demand is the swift implementation of the Kavach anti-collision system nationwide,” Kharge emphasized.
Also read: Dibrugarh Express Tragedy: Four Dead As Coaches Derail Near UP’s Gonda
Reports indicated that eight coaches of the train derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. The state administration has deployed two NDRF teams for rescue and relief efforts, while senior railway and UP government officials have also arrived at the scene.
The Railway Board has issued helpline numbers for assistance: Commercial Control – 9957555984, Furkating (FKG) – 9957555966, Mariani (MXN) – 6001882410, Simalguri (SLGR) – 8789543798, Tinsukia (NTSK) – 9957555959, Dibrugarh (DBRG) – 9957555960.
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