Train accidents new normal under BJP: TMC slams Centre

Accuses Railway Ministry of zero accountability after Howrah-Mumbai Mail derails in Jharkhand

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday criticised the series of train accidents across the country, labeling them as the “new normal” under the BJP government at the Centre, and accused the Railway Ministry of zero accountability.

Two persons were killed and 20 others injured as at least 18 coaches of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailed in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district early on Tuesday, officials said.

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The accident occurred at 3.45 am near Barabamboo, around 80 km from Jamshedpur, under the Chakradharpur Division of the South Eastern Railway (SER), they said.

“This is becoming the new normal. Accountability of @AshwiniVaishnaw ji is zero. The GOI has no answers whatsoever,” senior TMC leader and MP Sushmita Dev posted on X.

This is becoming the new normal. Accountability of @AshwiniVaishnaw ji is zero. The GOI has no answers whatsoever. https://t.co/xuUfbVVh8M

— Sushmita Dev সুস্মিতা দেব (@SushmitaDevAITC) July 30, 2024

Echoing her, party colleague and MP Sagarika Ghose wondered how many more train accidents shall it take for the Centre to wake up from its slumber.

“How many more train accidents shall it take for the Modi government to wake up from its slumber? People are suffering, people are being put through hardships and misery while the Modi government continues to escape accountability and responsibility for rail safety. We have a part-time rail minister as Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is too busy looking after election management in poll-bound states to bother too much with the Railway Ministry,” she said.

How many more train accidents will it take for the National Disaster Alliance government to wake up? Where is the Rail Minister? @AshwiniVaishnaw is only a part-time rail minister, busy handling @BJP4India‘s election management in assembly poll-bound states, while safety of…

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) July 30, 2024