Dibrugarh Express: PM, railway min. guilty of massive lapses, says Congress

The copy has been updated, it was first published on 18 July 2024.

In the wake of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress on Thursday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw take responsibility for "massive lapses", and the Kavach anti-collision system be installed expeditiously on all routes.

Three people were killed and several injured when eight coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, officials said. Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak said four people were killed in the accident.

In an X post, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express is yet another instance of how the Modi government has "systematically jeopardised" rail safety.

"Our deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved and our thoughts and prayers are with the injured. A month ago, 11 people lost their lives when a goods train collided with the Sealdah–Agartala Kanchanjunga Express," he said, pointing out that the commissioner of railway safety has stated that the accident was "waiting to happen".

"Failure of automatic signal, lapses at multiple levels in managing operations, and non-availability of critical safety equipment such as walkie-talkies with the loco pilot and train manager are some of the reasons cited for the collision in the probe report," Kharge said.

"PM Narendra Modi and his railway minister, who misses no opportunity for self-publicity, must take direct responsibility for the massive lapses that have plagued Indian Railways," he added.

The Congress president said his party's single demand was that the Kavach anti-collision system be "installed expeditiously" on all routes across India to ensure enhanced safety measures and prevent accidents.