Odisha train tragedy: The Congress party has slammed the Centre over the Railways seeking a CBI probe into the Balasore train tragedy which claimed the lives of around 275 passengers and injured over 1,000. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “Even before the Commissioner of Railway Safety has submitted his report on Balasore train disaster, a CBI inquiry is announced. This is nothing but headlines management having failed to meet deadlines.”
He continued, “1. Nov 20, 2016: Indore-Patna Express derails near Kanpur. Over 150 people lose their lives. 2. Jan 23, 2017: Then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu writes to Union Home Minister asking for NIA probe into this accident. 3. Feb 24, 2017: PM says Kanpur train accident is a conspiracy. 4. Oct 21, 2018: Newspapers report NIA will NOT file any chargesheet in the derailment. 5: June 6, 2023: Still no OFFICIAL news on NIA final report on Kanpur derailment. Zero accountability! (sic)”
Meanwhile, the CBI has registered a case in the triple train accident in Odisha’s Balasore on June 2. A 10-member CBI team reached the site of the accident on Tuesday morning as part of its investigation into the tragedy.
The deadly triple train clash that took place in Odisha’s Balasore district resulted in the death of around 275 passengers and injured more than 1,000 people. The threeway accident involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Coromandel Express and a goods train.