Train accidents becoming 'most unfortunate repetitive trope': Mamata on Andhra train derailment

In a tragic incident, a train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle in Andhra Pradesh has resulted in the loss of at least 9 lives and left numerous individuals injured. The incident has prompted reactions from various quarters, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who expressed her concerns about the recurring train accidents.

Mamata Banerjee, who has a background as a former Railway Minister herself, didn't hold back in her criticism of Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. She called train accidents an "unfortunate repetitive trope" and questioned when the railways would emerge from what she described as a "slumber."

Raising her concern, the TMC supremo tweeted, "Another disastrous rail collision, this time in Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh, involving two passenger trains, and causing uptil now at least 8 deaths and injury of at least 25 more."

(Morning visuals from the accident site | Image credit: ANI)

"Frontal collisions between trains, derailment of compartments, helpless passengers trapped in coaches and succumbing to fate: this is becoming a most unfortunate repetitive trope," Mamata said. Expressing solidarity with the kin of victims, she demanded for most expeditious rescue actions and inquiry forthwith.

Another disastrous rail collision, this time in Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh, involving two passenger trains, and causing uptil now at least 8 deaths and injury of at least 25 more.

Frontal collisions between trains, derailment of compartments, helpless passengers…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 29, 2023

"When will the railways come out of the slumber?" the West Bengal CM said. The recent train derailment in Andhra Pradesh is unfortunately not an isolated incident. Several train derailments have been reported this year, with the incident in Balasore being one of the most serious. This accident involved a three-train collision in Odisha's Balasore district, resulting in over 290 casualties.

In October, another train accident occurred in Bihar, where four people lost their lives and several others were injured after 23 coaches of the North East Express derailed near Raghunathpur railway station in Buxar district.

PMO, Railway Ministry announce ex-gratia

In response to this tragic incident in Andhra Pradesh, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the Railway Ministry have taken swift action. They have announced ex-gratia compensation for the affected families.

The PMO tweeted, "The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased due to the train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.".

Minister of Railway, Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced ex-gratia. "All injured shifted to hospitals. Ex-gratia compensation disbursement started - Rs 10 Lakh in case of death, Rs 2.5 Lakh towards grievous and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries."

Providing an update on the rescue operation, Vaishnaw said, "11 coaches from the front of 08532 Visakhapatnam - Palasa reached next Alamanda station. Train 08504 Visakhapatnam - Rayagada rear 9 coaches pulled back to the previous station, Kantakapalle. Other than the derailed and affected coaches, all cleared from the site."

The death toll has tragically risen to 9, with around 30 individuals sustaining injuries. The incident involved a collision between the Visakhapatnam-Ragada passenger train and a Visakhapatnam-Ragada train on the same route in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district on a fateful Sunday evening.

(With inputs from agencies)