"Luxury trains being introduced in frenzy": CPI leader flags issue of rail accident
Oct 12, 2023
New Delhi [India], October 12 : The Communist Party of India (CPI) Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam has written a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressing serious concern over the derailment of North East Express in Bihar's Buxar.
In his letter, the Rajya Sabha MP said that the government introducing luxury trains in a frenzy while the infrastructure for trains for common people is being sorely forsaken.
"I write to you about the regrettable ways in which railway safety is being compromised despite repeated warnings on how this neglect can gravely impact the people of the country. When the wounds of the Balasore train crash are yet to heal, the derailment of North East Express today in the Buxar District of Bihar came as another grim reminder of where the priorities of the government are going wrong," the MP said, adding, "Luxury trains are being introduced in a frenzy while the infrastructure for the trains of the common people is being sorely forsaken."
Quoting the data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), The Upper House CPI MP Binoy Viswam further said that fatalities from train-related accidents are over 23000 per year between 2010-2021.
"Today's tragedy has already claimed 6 lives and more than 100 are injured. The monetary cost of the derailment is estimated to be above 50 crores. Fatalities from train-related accidents are over 23000 per year between 2010-2021 according to NCRB data. For 2021 alone, 88 collisions and 21 derailments were reported. Despite these alarming numbers, the government engaged in photo-ops and PR management instead of taking concrete measures," he added.
He also alleged that the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh remains "critically unutilized" even after so many train accidents.
"The Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) which was created with the aim of clearing the backlog of critical safety and related works of the ministry, including track renewals, strengthening of bridges, and signalling improvements among others remains critically unutilised. It is flagged by many including the CAG that RRSK's execution is lagging behind the short deployment of funds and has defeated the objectives of improving railway safety," the CPI leader said.
Binoy Viswam further said that it is common knowledge that critical jobs related to railway safety are being handled by outsourced or contractual workers reflecting poorly on the seriousness of the government about the safety of citizens.
CPI MP also urged to Railway Minister to realign the priorities of the railways towards the common people.
"I also request you to sanction generous compensation to the kin of the victims of the Buxar accident and to the injured. Those responsible for this tragedy should be brought to book and this should serve as a delayed reminder that these mishaps should be prevented at any cost in future," he added.
The North East Express train was going from Anand Vihar Terminal, Delhi to Kamakhya in Assam when its 21 coaches derailed at 21.35 on Wednesday near Raghunathpur station of the Danapur division of the East Central Railway.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled those who lost their lives in the October 11 train derailment incident in Bihar's Buxar district.
"Pained by the loss of lives due to the derailment of a few coaches of the North East Express. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for a quick recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to all those affected," the Prime Minister's office quoted Narendra Modi as saying.
