People's Democracy

Railway Accidents: Minister’s Responsibility

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on June 1, 2012.

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep concern at the spate of railway accidents occurring in the country.  The latest accident on May 31 is that of the Howrah-Dehradun Express that derailed in Jaunpur district in Uttar Pradesh.  Five persons were killed and several injured.  The Polit Bureau conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. 

Just nine days before, there was another major accident when the Hampi Express rammed into a goods train killing 25 passengers and injuring 55 persons on May 22.  Prior to this, on May 6, the Ferozpur-Punjab Mail drawn from Mumbai had a derailment of six coaches in Rohtak in which 29 persons were injured. 

The responsibility for this shocking state of affairs in the railways lies with the railway minister Mukul Roy. He seems more pre-occupied with the Trinamul Congress affairs and assignments in West Bengal.

The talk of sabotage by the railway minister and Ms Mamata Banerjee cannot hide the fact that the railways are in a poor state with elementary safety standards being neglected.

The prime minister should not ignore the dereliction of duty by the railway minister and remain a hapless spectator.