Big claim of Congress on Odisha train accident, said- Center was aware of signal interlocking issue

The Congress party today made a big claim related to the Odisha train accident in which 275 people lost their lives and over 1,100 were injured. Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena today confirmed that the death toll was 275 and not 288 as some bodies were counted twice. While around 300 people are still undergoing treatment in various hospitals, the Congress has fired sharp questions at the Modi government and claimed that the Center was aware of the signal interlocking issue.

Talking to the media, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the accident happened due to a change in the electronic interlocking system. Vaishnav told the media, “The commissioner of railway safety has investigated the matter and let the investigation report come but we have identified the cause of the incident and the people responsible for it…It happened due to change in electronic interlocking.”

Hours later, Congress leader Pawan Khera addressed a press conference where he claimed that the Railway Ministry was informed about the signal interlocking issue in February. “If you go to the Railway Minister’s Twitter timeline, you will see the reality of Railways. There are 3.12 lakh vacancies in the Railway Department. An internal report circulated in the Ministry of Railways on February 9 said that there was a lapse.” In signal interlocking system. If it is not done properly, accidents will keep happening. We want to know what action has been taken on this report?” asked Khera.

He also said that according to the CAG report, there have been 1,127 incidents of train derailments between 2017 and 2021. “The budget for repair/renovation of track is decreasing every year in Modi government. Not only this…the budget means it is not being used. We are not against the high-speed train, but by showing 10-15 gleaming trains, they will hollow out the entire structure, this is not acceptable,” alleged Khera.

The Congress leader also asked whether PM Narendra Modi would take responsibility for the worst train accident of the century. He also said that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav should resign.

Repair of damaged track is underway at Balasore site. The Railway Minister told that the down main line was fixed at 12:05 pm today. A major accident occurred between the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train near Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore at around 7 pm on Friday.