Kolkata, India — West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticized the central government following a recent spate of train accidents, questioning the efficacy of the governmental oversight of the nation’s railway system. In a sharply worded social media statement, Banerjee referred to the accidents as a regular occurrence that hinted at broader governance issues.
She expressed her dismay following the derailment of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail in Jharkhand’s Chakradharpur division, which resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries. “Another disastrous rail accident! Howrah-Mumbai mail derails in Chakradharpur division in Jharkhand today early morning, multiple deaths and a huge number of injuries are the tragic consequences,” she wrote. Banerjee further questioned, “This series of nightmares almost every week, this unending procession of deaths and injuries on railway tracks: for how long shall we tolerate this? Will there be no end to the callousness of the Government of India?”
The derailment occurred around 3:45 AM near Barabamboo, approximately 80 kilometers from Jamshedpur. At least 18 coaches of the train were derailed in the incident, underscoring a traumatic night for passengers and posing serious questions to railway safety protocols.
Officials reported that two persons were killed and 20 others injured in the tragic event. The derailment not only caused significant human casualty but also prompted an examination of railway infrastructure and operational safety. The site of the accident lies near the border between the West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts, an area now strewn with the grim remnants of twisted metal and debris.
Om Prakash Charan, a spokesperson for the South Eastern Railway, noted that a goods train also derailed in a nearby area around the same time, although it remained unclear if the incidents were related. Further investigation into the simultaneous derailments and the sequence of events that led to them is ongoing.
West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chaudhary provided details from the ground, stating, “Two persons were killed and 20 injured as 18 coaches of Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailed near Barabamboo. Rescue operations are underway and an NDRF team is rushing to the spot.” He shared a concerning assumption that the Howrah-Mumbai train collided with a stationary goods train, intensifying the need for thorough inspection and prompt corrective measures.
The recurrent incidents have flared public outcry and vehement calls from community and state leaders for enhanced oversight. They spotlight the urgent need for systematic reforms within India’s railway system to prevent future accidents and improve traveler safety.
As the community reels from this latest tragedy, the focus remains on understanding the root causes of such frequent rail accidents and ensuring accountable governmental action to safeguard the lives of the countless passengers who depend on India’s extensive railway network daily.