Congress Targets Modi Govt On Utkal Express Derailment, Says 259 Passengers Killed Since May 2014

"Since Modi Govt took over in May 2014, 259 passengers have lost their lives & 899 injured in 27 train accidents. When will Govt wake up?" Surjewala tweeted.

Updated: August 19, 2017 10:21 PM IST

By India.com News Desk

Congress Targets Modi Govt On Utkal Express Derailment, Says 259 Passengers Killed Since May 2014
फाइल फोटो ( ANI )

New Delhi, Aug 19: Congress launched a scathing attack against Centre over the train derailment in Muzaffarnagar, which has led to the death of 23 passengers by the time this report was first published. Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala took a potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, indicating that casualties due to train accidents soared up after the BJP came to power.

“Since Modi Govt took over in May 2014, 259 passengers have lost their lives & 899 injured in 27 train accidents. When will Govt wake up?” Surjewala tweeted.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi also expressed anguish over the death of passengers in the train accident, seeking a thorough probe into the incident.

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Apart from the Congress, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav also questioned the Centre over the train derailment case. “Centre should take accountability. Is this the first such accident this year? The Railways are now turning unsafe. The Railway Minister should take accountability and resign,” he said.

Here are the updates so far by the time this report was first published:

– Fourteen coaches of Puri-Haridwar-Kalinga Utkal Express derailed in Muzaffarnagar’s Khatauli area

– 11 people have lost their lives till now and over 30 are said to be injured.

– The incident took place around 5:50 pm.

– Indian Railways released emergency helpline number for detail information.

– Nine Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) companies, a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have been rushed to the spot.

– Medical vans have also been rushed to the site

– Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that he has ordered inquiry into the unfortunate accident to ascertain the cause.

– Railway Ministry and Uttar Pradesh Government are working hand in hand, informs Prabhu.

– As per sources repair work was underway at the track.

– MoS Railways Manoj Sinha and BJP leader Sanjeev Balyan are at the site.

– Alternate arrangement is being made for stranded passengers.

-Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakhs to the next kin of any Odia passengers killed in the incident. He also announced relief of Rs 50,000 for injured.

– Union Minister of Railway Suresh Prabhu announced ex gratia of Rs 3.5 lakh for the next kin, Rs. 50, 000 for those seriously injured and Rs. 25, 000 for people with minor injuries.

– President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed condolences

– Former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh expressed condolences to the grieving kin of the victim.

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(With inputs from ANI)

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