Former MP and Congress Working Committee member Dr. Ajoy Kumar criticizes the NDA government, claiming it has neglected public safety.
Dr. Ajoy Kumar, a former MP and member of the Congress Working Committee, strongly criticized the NDA government during a press conference on Saturday, accusing it of ignoring public safety amid recent train accidents.
JAMSHEDPUR – Addressing the media, Dr. Ajoy Kumar expressed his frustration with the NDA government, accusing it of becoming shameless and neglecting the lives of ordinary people. He cited recent train accidents as evidence of the government’s failure.
“In 2019, Modi ji guaranteed that the Indian Railways would see unimaginable changes within five years. Today, his statements have tragically come true with these unimaginable train accidents,” Dr. Kumar remarked.
Dr. Kumar pointed to the recent Kanchenjunga Express and Dibrugarh Express accidents as proof of the government’s lack of concern for public safety. He criticized Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, labeling him the “Railway REEL Minister” due to his focus on social media rather than on ensuring passenger safety.
Detailing the Kanchenjunga Express accident, Dr. Kumar noted that three rear coaches of the Sealdah-bound train derailed after being hit by a freight train in Siliguri, West Bengal. The incident resulted in over ten deaths and more than 30 injuries.
Dr. Kumar highlighted several issues:
– Lack of crucial safety equipment like walkie-talkies for the loco pilot and train manager.
– Deficiencies in operational management.
– Inadequate training for the loco pilot.
– Recommendations for installing the Automatic Train Protection System (Kavach).
He referenced a 2021 CAG report which stated that the Railways had created the ‘Rashtriya Rail Suraksha Kosh’ (RRSK) with an allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore over five years for passenger safety. Dr. Kumar alleged that this fund, meant for enhancing railway safety, was misused for non-essential expenses by railway officials.
Dr. Kumar concluded by recalling several major railway accidents over the past decade, describing them as terrifying and indicative of systemic issues within the Indian Railways.
