Barely a couple of months after the Gyaneswari Express accident which killed more than 150 people, Bengal witnessed another massive train accident killing more than 60 people and injuring many. The incident took place at Sainthia station in Birbhum District around 2am on Monday. The sleeping station woke up with the sound of a bang, when the Sealdah bound Uttarbanga Express rammed into the rear of the Ranchi-bound Vananchal Express which was about to pull out of platform No.4. The impact was so severe that the roof and sides of one of the compartments of the Vananchal Express were slammed onto an overhead bridge for pedestrians. A part of another compartment of the Vananchal Express split and fell on the road along the tracks after being thrown over the bridge.
Within no time, Mamata Banerjee, Union Minister for Railway ordered an enquiry saying “We have some doubt in our mind. Whatever happened is not casual thing. We will take all strong steps against those who are behind this,” However, preliminary investigation reveal lapse from the part of Uttarbanga Express driver. He overshoot signal and inspite of warning did not stop.Meanwhile a compensation of Rs 5 Lakh and a job to one member of each family of the death has been announced. The seriously injured would receive Rs 1 lakh and those with minor injuries Rs 25,000, she said. Meanwhile State Home Secy. Samar Ghosh said “The State Government is not deploying any agency for the investigation of the accident, and it would be done by the railways alone.
The wreck severely impacted railway minister Mamata's Banerjee's track record on safety, as critics, who earlier alleged she spent more time out of office than in, demanded she quit. Records showed it was the seventh fatal crash since she took oath under UPA-II last May. anerjee has been attacked by a series of politicians including former Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, who said the tragedy proves "carelessness. "Full-time involvement is needed there. The Railways Minster should take a decision on whether she wants to continue as a minster or do politics in Bengal. The two cannot go on at the same time. We are not going to tolerate her playing with hundreds of innocent lives once in every three months anymore," said Paswan.
The question that now remains are how quickly the compensations going to reach the bereave families or the injured? Is Mamata really inefficient as a Railway Minister? Is it a sabotage to malign her image in the wake of the WB Assembly Election early next year? Will Mamata Banerjee resign?
(With inputs from reliable websites)
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