Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, submitted an adjournment notice on Thursday to address the “recent spate of train accidents.”
In a letter to the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, Gogoi highlighted the severe impact of these incidents, noting the “immense loss of life, suffering, and economic disruption” they have caused.
“Just last week, on July 18, four people died and several others were injured when the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. On June 7, the Kanchanjunga Express collided with another train, resulting in nine deaths and more than 25 injuries,” Gogoi wrote.
Gogoi also pointed to troubling statistics, stating that the number of consequential train accidents reported in 2022-23 increased to 48, compared to 35 the previous year. Additionally, there were 162 non-consequential train accidents in 2022-23, including 35 cases of Signal Passed at Danger (SPD).
He attributed the rising number of accidents to a manpower shortage, which has led some zonal railways to extend loco pilots’ duty hours beyond the stipulated limits.
Gogoi criticized the government’s negligence and apathy towards rail infrastructure, asserting that current safety measures are insufficient and in need of a comprehensive overhaul.
Today’s schedule includes continued discussions on the Union Budget 2024-25, presented on July 23, in both Houses of Parliament. The discussion on the Jammu and Kashmir budget for 2024-25, also presented on Tuesday, will proceed as well.
Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Kirtivardhan Singh are expected to lay papers on the table today. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar is anticipated to make a statement on the implementation status of recommendations from the 250th report of the department-related parliamentary standing committee on Home Affairs, addressing the government’s actions on the 243rd report related to grants for the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region.
(With ANI Inputs)
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