Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticizing the Railway Ministry’s request for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the recent train tragedy in Odisha. Kharge argues that the CBI is intended to investigate crimes, not railway accidents, and therefore cannot effectively address the technical, institutional, and political failures that contributed to the incident.
Kharge asserts that the accident in Odisha, which he describes as one of the worst in Indian history, highlights the deteriorating safety standards in the country’s railways. He accuses Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw of making empty safety claims that have now been exposed. Kharge emphasizes the need for the government to uncover the actual causes of the accident and address the underlying issues, rather than superficially addressing the problems to maintain a positive image.
The Congress president alleges that the government has shown a disregard for the safety of passengers and has treated the railways with a “step-motherly treatment.” He criticizes the flawed decision-making that has made rail travel unsafe, and he accuses the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister of denying the existence of problems within the system.
Kharge points out that the CBI, or any other law enforcement agency, lacks the technical expertise in railway safety, signaling, and maintenance practices required to determine accountability for technical and institutional failures. He refers to a previous train derailment incident in Kanpur in 2016, where the then Railway Minister called for an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) but failed to hold anyone accountable.
The Congress leader suggests that the government’s decision to involve another agency without the necessary expertise is a diversionary tactic to avoid addressing the systemic safety issues within the railways. He calls for the installation of mandatory safety standards and equipment across railway routes to prevent future accidents.
Kharge highlights a recent audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which reveals that seven out of ten train accidents between 2017 and 2021 were caused by derailments. He questions why these red flags were ignored and why funding for track maintenance was significantly reduced.
Furthermore, Kharge raises concerns about the shortage of manpower and the overburdening of loco pilots, who play a crucial role in ensuring safety. He questions why crucial warnings and recommendations regarding repairs and improvements to the signaling system were disregarded.
In conclusion, Kharge accuses the government of being callous towards the safety of passengers and failing to prioritize addressing the systemic issues within the railways. He questions the government’s handling of safety measures, the allocation of funds, and the decision-making autonomy of the Indian Railways.
