Demand for Resignation of Rail Minister Following Fatal Train Accident in Thane

Call for Accountability After Tragic Incident

Harsvardhan Sapkal, the head of the Congress party's Maharashtra unit, has called for the resignation of Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw following a tragic train accident in Thane district that resulted in the deaths of four individuals. Sapkal has also demanded a compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of the deceased. The incident occurred during the busy morning hours when a constable from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and three other passengers fell from a crowded local train, leading to their deaths, while six others sustained injuries. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Sapkal attributed the accident to the negligence of both the central and state governments.

Criticism of Rail Minister's Inaction

Sapkal accused the Rail Minister of being unaware of the necessary improvements in railway facilities and reiterated his demand for resignation. He expressed his condolences on social media, stating that for the past eleven years, residents of Maharashtra and Mumbai have only heard empty promises regarding infrastructure and travel convenience. He criticized the ongoing corruption in awarding contracts and taking commissions under the guise of development, emphasizing that citizens are paying the ultimate price with their lives. He urged the government to wake up, stop organizing events, and take immediate action to ensure the safety of commuters on local trains.

Infrastructure Strain Due to Migrant Influx

Following the tragic incident, Raj Thackeray, president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), stated that the influx of migrants from other states is straining Mumbai's suburban railway infrastructure. He questioned the rationale behind installing automatic doors in local trains given the overcrowding. Notably, Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party, has also urged the Central Railway administration to implement measures like automatic doors in response to the overcrowding in suburban trains. Thackeray remarked that the railway infrastructure is collapsing due to the large number of people coming into Mumbai, while everyone seems preoccupied with election campaigning.

Details of the Incident

Eyewitnesses reported that the tragic event unfolded during peak hours between Diva and Kopar railway stations when passengers standing on the footboards of two opposing local trains collided, resulting in four fatalities and nine injuries. Thackeray pointed out that accidents related to local trains occur daily, highlighting a broader issue of disorder in all cities, with poor road conditions and frequent traffic jams in cities like Mumbai and Pune. He noted that emergency services often struggle to respond promptly in case of fires.

Investigation into the Accident

The incident involving the GRP constable and three passengers occurred when a person either collided with the wall or something struck their compartment. Police officials indicated that the accident happened while the train was en route to Kasara. Railway authorities suggested that the collision was likely caused by passengers hanging from the footboards of both trains, which were traveling in opposite directions.