Dr Ajoy Kumar accuses NDA Government of negligence 

Jamshedpur: Former MP and Congress Working Committee member, Dr. Ajoy Kumar, has sharply criticized the NDA government, accusing it of indifference towards public safety. Speaking at an assembly on Saturday, Dr. Kumar condemned the government for its failure to address critical issues, highlighting recent train accidents as evidence of negligence.

Dr. Kumar recalled Prime Minister Modi’s 2019 promise to transform Indian Railways within five years, a claim he now deems fulfilled in the worst way possible. “These train accidents are unimaginable,” he remarked, citing the recent Kanchenjunga Express and Dibrugarh Express incidents as proof of the government’s disregard for human life.

In a scathing attack on Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Dr. Kumar labeled him the “Railway REEL Minister,” more focused on social media than safety. He criticized Vaishnaw’s tenure since July 2021 as one marked by publicity stunts and lack of accountability.

Detailing the Kanchenjunga Express accident, Dr. Kumar reported that a collision with a freight train in Siliguri, West Bengal, had derailed three rear coaches, resulting in over ten deaths and thirty injuries. He referenced the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety’s report, which identified faulty signals, lack of safety equipment, poor operational management, and inadequate training as key factors in the crash.

Dr. Kumar also pointed to the 2021 CAG report, which revealed misuse of the ‘Rashtriya Rail Suraksha Kosh’ (RRSK) fund, allocated for passenger safety. According to the report, funds intended for safety improvements were instead spent on non-essential items like foot massagers, jackets, furniture, and electronics.

He questioned the government’s delay in implementing the ‘Kavach’ anti-collision system, arguing that its nationwide installation would cost significantly less than the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project. “Where is the railway’s KAVACH?” he demanded, emphasizing the urgency of this safety measure.

Dr. Kumar accused Prime Minister Modi of prioritizing cosmetic upgrades to stations over essential safety equipment for train operators. He highlighted Rahul Gandhi’s efforts to address loco pilots’ concerns, which he claimed the Modi government had ignored.

Citing a series of fatal train accidents over the past decade, including the recent Balasore and Dibrugarh tragedies, Dr. Kumar argued that the government’s focus on social media image had come at the cost of passenger safety. “Since August 2021, 329 people have lost their lives due to train accidents and safety issues,” he stated, calling for immediate action to prevent further casualties.