Mamata Banerjee hits out at Centre for lack of anticollision devices

Kolkata: Following the rail accident on Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the Centre for the lack of anticollision devices in trains, the railway fare hike, lack of passenger amenities, negligence, lack of proper “care” for Railway employees and the absence of a Railway budget. Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw preferred to focus on passenger safety and restoration efforts.

Banerjee said, “The Railways has become parentless and has lost its beauty and glory,” adding “passenger amenities have been reduced while polls are rigged.”

“There is no Railway budget anymore. You can see Railways at the time of inaugurations. It has become a fashionstatement of sorts.” She claimed that during her regime as Railway Minister, anticollision devices were introduced and they were installed in the Konkan Railways.”

The Railway Board said in New Delhi today ‘Kavach’ (an automatic train protection system) has been planned and it will be implemented in Bengal. “You can call it Kavach or give it any other name. Let them create people’s Kavach first,” she said, adding “North Bengal has become an accident spot.”