Source- AR Live News
On July 30, 2024, a serious accident occurred involving the Howrah-Mumbai CSMT Express near the Uluberia area in West Bengal. The train derailed, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 passengers and injuries to many others. The derailment caused significant damage to several coaches, and emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene to manage rescue and relief operations.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident may have been caused by a fault in the railway tracks, but the exact reason is still under investigation. The derailment has led to severe disruptions in train services, and authorities are working to restore normal operations as soon as possible. The injured passengers have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment .
What are the thoughts of the other political parties?
The train accident involving the Mumbai CSTM–Howrah Duronto Express has drawn various political reactions. The Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced that a high-level inquiry would be conducted to investigate the cause of the accident. He expressed his deep concern for the victims and their families and assured that the Indian Railways would take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Source- The Statesman
West Bengal CM, Mamta Banerjee’s taunt for the central government
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the central government’s handling of railway safety, urging for immediate improvements in the infrastructure and maintenance of railways. She also called for better safety protocols to protect passengers.
Several opposition leaders echoed these sentiments, questioning the current administration’s commitment to railway safety and demanding accountability. Meanwhile, other political figures called for a united effort to support the affected passengers and their families during this tragic time.
India’s railway system is one of the largest and busiest in the world, serving as a crucial mode of transportation for millions of people daily. Operated by Indian Railways, a state-owned entity under the Ministry of Railways, it spans approximately 67,368 kilometers of track, connecting diverse regions across the country. The system includes over 7,300 stations and operates more than 22,000 trains daily, catering to both passengers and freight.
Source- The Statesman
Frequent train accidents in India are a major concern, reflecting systemic issues in the country’s railway infrastructure and management.
Despite being a crucial mode of transportation, Indian Railways has been plagued by accidents due to various reasons, including human error, technical failures, and infrastructure inadequacies.
Source- India TV News
1. Coromandel Express Accident (June 2, 2023)
This major accident occurred when the Coromandel Express collided with a stationary goods train near Balasore in Odisha. The impact caused several coaches to derail and crash into another passenger train on a parallel track. The incident resulted in over 290 fatalities and more than 1,000 injuries, making it one of the deadliest train accidents in India’s recent history. The accident was attributed to a signaling error, highlighting significant flaws in the railway’s safety infrastructure.
2. Amritsar Train Accident (October 19, 2018)
During the Dussehra festival in Amritsar, Punjab, a passenger train ran over a crowd watching the festivities on the tracks. The accident resulted in the deaths of over 60 people and injuries to many others. The incident occurred because of the dense crowd and a lack of awareness about the approaching train, compounded by insufficient crowd control measures.
3.Kalinga-Utkal Express Derailment (August 19, 2017)
The Kalinga-Utkal Express derailed near Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh, leading to the death of 23 people and injuries to over 100. The derailment was caused by a technical failure on the tracks, exacerbated by ongoing track maintenance work that was not properly managed.
4.Pukhrayan Train Derailment (November 20, 2016)
The Indore-Patna Express derailed near Pukhrayan in Uttar Pradesh, killing 150 people and injuring over 200. The derailment was one of the deadliest in recent years and was initially suspected to be caused by track fractures, though sabotage was also investigated as a possible cause.
5. Kanpur Train Accident (November 20, 2016)
On the same day as the Pukhrayan accident, another train accident occurred in Kanpur when a passenger train derailed. This incident, however, did not result in any fatalities but highlighted the precarious state of the rail network.
6. Sealdah Express Collision (August 19, 2015)
Two trains, the Kamayani Express and the Janata Express, collided near Harda in Madhya Pradesh. The accident was caused by a flash flood that washed away the tracks. The collision resulted in the deaths of 31 people and injuries to over 100 passengers.
