Back to back train accidents huge setback for BJP in poll bound Uttar Pradesh

NEW DELHI: Two train accidents in Uttar Pradesh in a short span of time is set to dent political gains railways was eyeing for ruling BJP in the upcoming assembly election by launching new services and projects in the poll bound state.

The national transporter had substantially hiked the fund allocated for the politically crucial states and accelerated the projects for laying of new tracks, doubling and electrification since BJP came to power.

The fund for rail projects in UP was enhanced to around Rs 4,950 crore in 2016-17 rail budget. The fund allocation for 2015-16 was Rs 4,516 crore. The average allocation for the state saw a quantum jump (207%) in 2014 by the BJP government in comparison to UPA-2.


Several new train services, including Humsafar which has all AC3 coaches were introduced in the state. Passenger amenities were enhanced by installing elevators, lifts, drinking water kiosks at stations across the states.

Minister of state for railways Manoj Sinha, who hails from the state, was personally monitoring the projects.

But the railways leadership has suffered a huge setback after the two accidents near Kanpur within a short span of time — the derailment of Ajmer-Sealdah Express on Wednesday which caused injuries to more than 50 passengers and the derailment of Indore-Patna Express train on November 19 in which 150 passengers were killed.

Concerned with the political fallout of train tragedies just before the assembly polls in the state, railways minister Suresh Prabhu directed railways board that safety cannot be compromised and plainly warned general managers to be ready for consequences for any lapses.

Along with a directive to fast-track procurement of safety equipments and machines, he asked that all railway installations be inspected over the next one week to identify and rectify shortcomings. Ordering independent audit of the safety installations, Prabhu directed that all mail and express trains would have at least one officer or senior subordinate travelling during night hours on locomotives for comprehensive inspection over next 10 days.