{"id":74643,"date":"2024-06-17T08:35:05","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T08:35:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/17\/kanchanjunga-accident-vande-bharat-comes-under-fire-oppn-demands-ashwini-vaishnaws-resignation\/"},"modified":"2024-06-17T08:35:05","modified_gmt":"2024-06-17T08:35:05","slug":"kanchanjunga-accident-vande-bharat-comes-under-fire-oppn-demands-ashwini-vaishnaws-resignation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/17\/kanchanjunga-accident-vande-bharat-comes-under-fire-oppn-demands-ashwini-vaishnaws-resignation\/","title":{"rendered":"Kanchanjunga Accident: Vande Bharat comes under fire, Oppn demands Ashwini Vaishnaw’s resignation"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Kanchanjunga<\/div>\n
Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident<\/a>: The collision between the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express<\/a> (13174) and a goods train<\/a> near New Jalpaiguri<\/a> has left at least 15 dead, including passengers and staff members. The incident, attributed to possible signal disregard, occurred around 9 am, with rescue operations concluding and injured individuals receiving medical attention. Amid all this, Vande Bharat<\/a> and recently re-appointed, Railway Minister<\/a> Ashwini Vaishnaw were trending on social media. <\/p>\n

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Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident: Why Vande Bharat is trending along with Ashwini Vaishnaw?<\/h2>\n

<\/strong>The accident has provided fresh ammunition for the Opposition to attack the PM Narendra Modi-led Centre and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari stated, “The accidents show that the government is not paying attention to the safety of railways. The Railway Minister should resign on moral grounds.”<\/p>\n

Several Congress leaders have alleged that the government has been paying more attention to the Vande Bharat, instead of the poor conditions of the Indian Railways. <\/p>\n

The Congress, wishing for the quick recovery of the injured passengers, criticized Prime Minister Modi’s handling of the railways. Congress leader Pawan Khera told ABP News, “It shows us how the Railways has deteriorated in the last 7-8 years. The government has decided to adopt a strange policy concerning railways. Just launching a few Vande Bharat trains cannot improve the quality of Railways.”<\/p>\n

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has also demanded resignation.<\/p>\n

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\u2014 laluprasadrjd (@laluprasadrjd) <\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident: Centre prioritised PR of Vande Bharat trains over rail safety: Kharge<\/h2>\n

<\/strong>Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also accused the Modi government of mismanaging the Railway ministry, vowing to hold the government accountable “for its criminal abandonment of the Indian Railways.” He posted on X, “In the past 10 years, Modi Govt has indulged in the utter mismanagement of the Railway Ministry. The Modi Govt has systematically converted the Rail Ministry into a platform of ‘Camera-driven’ self-promotion! Today’s tragedy is yet another reminder of this stark reality.”
The Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress in a post on X also claimed, ‘If the government had prioritized the remaining 90% of the country’s trains, apart from Vande Bharat, in the past few years, we wouldn’t keep seeing pictures of such rail accidents emerge repeatedly.’Earlier on 5th June, the Congress had demanded the resignation of Ashwini Vaishnaw in connection with the Coromadel Train accident which took place last year. He also took the opportunity to question whether the Narendra Modi government “prioritized” the publicity of Vande Bharat trains over rail safety. The party alleged that the Rail Minister\u2019s “PR gimmicks” overshadowed the “serious deficiencies, criminal negligence and complete disregard for safety and security of Indian Railways.”<\/p>\n

\u201cPM Modi, himself is responsible for a green-flagging spree of Vande Bharat Express<\/a> trains. He himself is responsible for creating this \u2018all is well\u2019 facade in the Indian Railways, even as crucial, sensitive, and critical infrastructure of the Indian Railway languishes in neglect,\u201d Rajya Sabha member Shaktisinh Gohil and Khera said in their statement.<\/p>\n

Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident: Vande Bharat Express Criticism<\/h2>\n

The Vande Bharat Express, known for its premium service, has come under scrutiny following the accident. Critics have highlighted issues of overcrowding and high fares, questioning the government’s prioritization of luxury trains over essential safety measures. Passengers have expressed dissatisfaction with the service quality, raising concerns about the government’s focus on commercial interests over passenger safety.<\/p>\n

In recent times, several videos of crowded trains have come to light. Recently, a video showed people boarding even the first-class compartment. Another video from April this year showed a 2nd AC train coach filled with ticketless passengers.<\/p>\n

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Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident: Continued Investigations and Safety Concerns<\/h2>\n

<\/strong>The incident occurred near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri, as the express train was en route from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata. Two coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express were derailed in the crash.<\/p>\n

The collision occurred near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri, as the Kanchanjunga Express was traveling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata. Two coaches of the express train were derailed in the crash, leading to injuries and loss of life.<\/p>\n

The route is an automatic signal section and remains extremely busy with parallel lines, which means there are higher chances of other trains being around.<\/p>\n

Initial reports suggest that the goods train overshot the signal, leading to the collision. An investigation will be crucial in determining the exact cause of the accident and holding accountable those responsible for the lapse in safety measures. One report suggests that the accident took place due to low visibility.<\/p>\n

Rail traffic on Katihar-New Jalpaiguri (NJP) section has been affected as the accident took place on the downline of the section. <\/p>\n

Nine trains, including the Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Howrah New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, have been diverted to the New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri-Bagdogra – Alubari rail section. <\/p>\n

Several Guwahati, Agartala, and North East bound trains are stranded at different railway stations on the Barsoi-Jalpaiguri rail section after the accident, as reported by AIR News. <\/p>\n

Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident: New Vande Bharat Sleeper Train<\/h2>\n

Meanwhile, on June 16th the Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that work on the first Vande Bharat sleeper trainset is progressing rapidly, with the first train expected to be on track within two months. The trains are being manufactured by BEML Ltd at their rail unit in Bengaluru.<\/p>\n

“The completion work of the trainset of the Vande Bharat sleeper train is in full swing and the first train will be on track within two months. All technical works are in the last phase. The trainset is manufactured by BEML Ltd at its rail unit in Bangalore,” Vaishnaw said.<\/p>\n

He added that the much-awaited Vande Bharat sleeper trains will enhance commuter mobility and provide a range of comforts that align with global standards.<\/p>\n

(With inputs from agencies) <\/p>\n

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