Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sent his condolences to the families of the victims of the train accident in Darjeeling in the east Indian state of West Bengal on Monday (June 17).

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sent his condolences to the families of the victims of the train accident in Darjeeling in the east Indian state of West Bengal on Monday (June 17). At least 15 people were killed and several more were injured when a passenger train and a cargo train crashed in West Bengal's Darjeeling area on Monday. According to a senior railway official, among the dead were the cargo train's pilot and co-pilot. “The news of the death of many people due to the accident of Kanchanjunga Express in West Bengal is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on X in Hindi. Gandhi also criticised the work of the Narendra Modi government in terms of railway safety, blaming "mismanagement and negligence" for the surge in rail accidents during the previous 10 years. “Today's accident is another example of this reality - as a responsible opposition, we will continue to question this blatant negligence and hold the Modi government accountable for these accidents,” he said. पश्चिम बंगाल में कंचनजंगा एक्सप्रेस के दुर्घटनाग्रस्त होने से कई लोगों की मृत्यु का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद है। सभी शोकाकुल परिजनों को मैं अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के शीघ्र से शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं। सरकार को सभी पीड़ितों या उनके परिवारों को तुरंत पूरा… — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 17, 2024 × Initial reports indicate that the parked passenger train and the freight train could have collided due to the goods train overshooting a signal. Officials have not yet confirmed if problems with the signaling system had a part in the tragedy. Also read: After J&K review meet, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs high-level meeting on Manipur security crisis West Bengal state and other northeastern cities are connected by the daily Kanchanjunga Express train. It is frequently used by visitors traveling to the hill station of Darjeeling, which is popular during the summer months when other Indian towns are boiling in the heat. Long-distance train services from northeastern and north Bengal have been interrupted by the accident. This event followed another tragic train disaster in eastern India last year, which claimed the lives of over 280 people, making it one of the country's worst railway disasters in decades. (With inputs from agencies)

Rahul Gandhi mourns Darjeeling train tragedy, blames Modi government for accident

Many trains were cancelled or diverted on Tuesday (June 18), after the Kanchanjunga Express accident that resulted in 10 deaths and over 50 injuries in the east Indian state of West Bengal, according to officials.

According to the official statement of the Northeast Frontier Railways, five trains -&nbsp; Katihar-Siliguri Intercity Express, Siliguri-Katihar Intercity Express, New Jalpaiguri-Howrah Shatabdi Express, Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi Express and Siliguri-Jogbani Intercity Express -&nbsp; were cancelled on Tuesday.

New Jalpaiguri to New Delhi Superfast Express was rescheduled, while New Delhi--Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express&nbsp;and Silchar--Sealedah Kanchanjungha Express were diverted.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/heatwave-likely-to-continue-in-delhi-this-week-imd-issues-red-alert-732421">Heatwave likely to continue in Delhi this week, IMD issues 'red alert'</a>

On Monday (June 17) at 8:55 am, a goods train crashed into the back of the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani, about 10 km south of New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district.

Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Katihar Northeast Frontier Railway, Surendra Kumar told ANI, “Night-long restoration efforts continued at the Kanchanjunga Express accident site. Yesterday, a successful test run was conducted with an engine, two goods trains, and a Shatabdi train towards New Jalpaiguri Junction. With extra caution due to the ongoing repairs, the adjacent track is expected to be operational within the next half hour.”

The Kanchanjunga Express reached its destination, Kolkata's Sealdah, at around 3:15 am on Tuesday after the restoration work was completed.

The death toll reached 10 as a six-year-old succumbed to her injuries at North Bengal Medical College on Tuesday.&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressed her shock over the incident on Monday.&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and called the accident "saddening".&nbsp;

Also Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/west-bengal-goods-train-collides-with-kanchenjunga-express-near-njp-station-732416">Goods train collides with Kanchenjunga Express near NJP Station</a>

"The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected," said PM Modi.&nbsp;

The Indian PM also announced that an ex-gratia of $2,394 (Rs 200,000) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Additionally, those injured will receive $599 (Rs 50,000).

The railway minister said that the cost for the treatment of all those injured will be borne by the state government.

(With inputs from agencies)

Many trains were cancelled or diverted on Tuesday (June 18), after the Kanchanjunga Express accident that resulted in 10 deaths and over 50 injuries in the east Indian state of West Bengal, according to officials.

Many trains were cancelled or diverted on Tuesday (June 18), after the Kanchanjunga Express accident that resulted in 10 deaths and over 50 injuries in the east Indian state of West Bengal, according to officials. According to the official statement of the Northeast Frontier Railways, five trains - Katihar-Siliguri Intercity Express, Siliguri-Katihar Intercity Express, New Jalpaiguri-Howrah Shatabdi Express, Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi Express and Siliguri-Jogbani Intercity Express - were cancelled on Tuesday. New Jalpaiguri to New Delhi Superfast Express was rescheduled, while New Delhi--Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express and Silchar--Sealedah Kanchanjungha Express were diverted. Also Read | Heatwave likely to continue in Delhi this week, IMD issues 'red alert' On Monday (June 17) at 8:55 am, a goods train crashed into the back of the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani, about 10 km south of New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Katihar Northeast Frontier Railway, Surendra Kumar told ANI, “Night-long restoration efforts continued at the Kanchanjunga Express accident site. Yesterday, a successful test run was conducted with an engine, two goods trains, and a Shatabdi train towards New Jalpaiguri Junction. With extra caution due to the ongoing repairs, the adjacent track is expected to be operational within the next half hour.” The Kanchanjunga Express reached its destination, Kolkata's Sealdah, at around 3:15 am on Tuesday after the restoration work was completed. The death toll reached 10 as a six-year-old succumbed to her injuries at North Bengal Medical College on Tuesday. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressed her shock over the incident on Monday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and called the accident "saddening". Also Watch | Goods train collides with Kanchenjunga Express near NJP Station "The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected," said PM Modi. The Indian PM also announced that an ex-gratia of $2,394 (Rs 200,000) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Additionally, those injured will receive $599 (Rs 50,000). The railway minister said that the cost for the treatment of all those injured will be borne by the state government. (With inputs from agencies)

West Bengal train tragedy: Recovery efforts continue, several trains rerouted

Indian National Congress (INC) on Tuesday (Jun 18) accused the Narendra Modi&nbsp;government of "destroying" Indian Railways and demanded Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's resignation after the Kanchanjunga Express accident that happened in the eastern state of West Bengal. The Opposition said that Vaishnaw has no moral right to remain in the position.&nbsp;

The railway ministry said that seven passengers and two railway staffers were killed and more than 40 were injured when a freight train rammed into a passenger train heading for the state capital of Kolkata from the northeastern state of Tripura.&nbsp;

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "who should be held accountable, the Railway Minister or you?"&nbsp;

He also posed seven striking questions to the government and demanded answers.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-train-tragedy-recovery-efforts-continue-several-trains-rerouted-732794">West Bengal train tragedy: Recovery efforts continue, several trains rerouted</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Congress asks seven questions</h2>

Kharge asked...

1) After a major tragedy like Balasore, why was not a single kilometre of the much-publicised "Kavach" protection added?&nbsp;

2) Why are nearly 300,000 posts vacant in Railways, why have they not been filled in the last 10 years?&nbsp;

3) According to the NCRB [National Crime Records Bureau] (2022) report, 1,00,000 people have died in rail accidents between 2017 and 2021 alone! Who will take responsibility for this?&nbsp;

The Railway Board itself has recently admitted that long working hours of loco pilots due to acute shortage of manpower are the main reason for the increasing number of accidents. Then why are the posts not being filled?&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Monsoon 2024: When is the monsoon arriving in New Delhi?&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/monsoon-2024-when-is-the-monsoon-arriving-in-new-delhi-732851/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

4) The Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 323rd report had criticised the railways for the "neglect" shown by the Railway Board towards the recommendations of the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS). It said that the CRS investigates only 8%-10% of accidents, why was the CRS not strengthened?&nbsp;

5) According to CAG [Comptroller and Auditor General], why 75% of the funding in 'Rashtriya Rail Suraksha Kosh' (RRSK) was reduced, while Rs 20,000 Cr was to be provided every year? Why is this money being used by railway officials on unnecessary expenses and luxury facilities?&nbsp;

6) Why has travelling by train in the normal Sleeper Class become very expensive? Why has the number of Sleeper Coaches been reduced?&nbsp;

The Railway Minister recently spoke of using police force against those "overcrowding" train coaches. But doesn't he know that last year &nbsp;27,000,000 people had to cancel their tickets due to an acute shortage of seats – a direct result of the Modi government's policy of reducing the number of coaches?

7) Did the Modi government merge the Railway Budget with the General Budget in 2017-18 to escape any kind of accountability? The public wants an answer to this!&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-mourns-darjeeling-train-tragedy-blames-modi-government-for-accident-732602">Rahul Gandhi mourns Darjeeling train tragedy, blames Modi government for accident</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Congress targets railway minister&nbsp;</h2>

The opposition party also took a swipe at Vaishnaw for reaching the accident site and riding a pillion on a motorcycle. The opposition asked whether he is a rail minister or a "reel minister".&nbsp;

"Modi government's railway minister reaches the accident site under the glare of cameras and behaves as if everything is fine," the party said.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | West Bengal: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to shortly visit the Kanchenjunga Express train accident site in Darjeeling district. <a href="https://t.co/wmAti3z2MV">pic.twitter.com/wmAti3z2MV</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1802649467176505737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Indian National Congress (INC) on Tuesday (Jun 18) accused the Narendra Modi government of "destroying" Indian Railways and demanded Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's resignation after the Kanchanjunga Express accident that happened in the eastern state of West Bengal.

Indian National Congress (INC) on Tuesday (Jun 18) accused the Narendra Modi government of "destroying" Indian Railways and demanded Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's resignation after the Kanchanjunga Express accident that happened in the eastern state of West Bengal. The Opposition said that Vaishnaw has no moral right to remain in the position. The railway ministry said that seven passengers and two railway staffers were killed and more than 40 were injured when a freight train rammed into a passenger train heading for the state capital of Kolkata from the northeastern state of Tripura. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "who should be held accountable, the Railway Minister or you?" He also posed seven striking questions to the government and demanded answers. Also read: West Bengal train tragedy: Recovery efforts continue, several trains rerouted Congress asks seven questions Kharge asked... 1) After a major tragedy like Balasore, why was not a single kilometre of the much-publicised "Kavach" protection added? 2) Why are nearly 300,000 posts vacant in Railways, why have they not been filled in the last 10 years? 3) According to the NCRB [National Crime Records Bureau] (2022) report, 1,00,000 people have died in rail accidents between 2017 and 2021 alone! Who will take responsibility for this? The Railway Board itself has recently admitted that long working hours of loco pilots due to acute shortage of manpower are the main reason for the increasing number of accidents. Then why are the posts not being filled? Watch: Monsoon 2024: When is the monsoon arriving in New Delhi? × 4) The Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 323rd report had criticised the railways for the "neglect" shown by the Railway Board towards the recommendations of the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS). It said that the CRS investigates only 8%-10% of accidents, why was the CRS not strengthened? 5) According to CAG [Comptroller and Auditor General], why 75% of the funding in 'Rashtriya Rail Suraksha Kosh' (RRSK) was reduced, while Rs 20,000 Cr was to be provided every year? Why is this money being used by railway officials on unnecessary expenses and luxury facilities? 6) Why has travelling by train in the normal Sleeper Class become very expensive? Why has the number of Sleeper Coaches been reduced? The Railway Minister recently spoke of using police force against those "overcrowding" train coaches. But doesn't he know that last year 27,000,000 people had to cancel their tickets due to an acute shortage of seats – a direct result of the Modi government's policy of reducing the number of coaches? 7) Did the Modi government merge the Railway Budget with the General Budget in 2017-18 to escape any kind of accountability? The public wants an answer to this! Also read: Rahul Gandhi mourns Darjeeling train tragedy, blames Modi government for accident Congress targets railway minister The opposition party also took a swipe at Vaishnaw for reaching the accident site and riding a pillion on a motorcycle. The opposition asked whether he is a rail minister or a "reel minister". "Modi government's railway minister reaches the accident site under the glare of cameras and behaves as if everything is fine," the party said. #WATCH | West Bengal: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to shortly visit the Kanchenjunga Express train accident site in Darjeeling district. pic.twitter.com/wmAti3z2MV — ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024 × (With inputs from agencies)

Kanchanjunga Express train accident: India Opposition slams Modi govt, asks 7 questions

Indian opposition launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and his Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday (Jun 17) after a train&nbsp;accident in the eastern state of West Bengal. &nbsp;At least 9&nbsp;people were killed and more than 40&nbsp;injured as the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express was hit by a goods train from behind in Siliguri.

India's principal opposition party Congress blamed the accident on "mismanagement" by the railway ministry, saying the rail minister is always "busy with making reels".

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the railway ministry had become a platform of 'camera-driven' self-promotion. 
 
"In the past 10 years, the Modi government has indulged in the utter mismanagement of the Railway Ministry... Make no mistake, we will remain persistent with our questions and shall make the Modi government accountable for its criminal abandonment of the Indian Railways," Kharge said.

The party has demanded Vaishnaw's resignation.

Congress also highlighted the 2023 Odisha train collision in which 290 people were killed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwippcKM2uKGAxWIRmwGHRszDDQQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-at-least-five-killed-after-goods-train-collides-with-kanchanjungha-express-in-west-bengal-732397" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-at-least-five-killed-after-goods-train-collides-with-kanchanjungha-express-in-west-bengal-732397&amp;ved=2ahUKEwippcKM2uKGAxWIRmwGHRszDDQQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">West Bengal train accident: Death toll rises to 15 after goods train collides with Kanchanjungha Express</a>

"Wrong management, wrong policy, wrong steps are behind the rail accidents. The load on tracks has been increasing, but there is no focus on safety. The country has not recovered from the rail accident in Odisha and now this big accident has happened. The Rail Ministry is not able to manage. The Railway Minister should resign," News agency PTI quoted Congress leader Pramod Tiwari as saying.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a fierce rival of PM Modi, also took on the National Democratic Alliance government for 'carelessness.'

She said the railway ministry doesn't even care about railway officials, engineers, technical staff and workers, much less the passengers.

Watch:&nbsp;Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident: At least 15 dead, 60 injured in collision

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kanchanjunga-express-train-accident-at-least-15-dead-60-injured-in-collision-732507/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"They (the Railway Ministry) don't care about passenger amenities. They don't even care about railway officials, railway engineers, railway technical staff, and workers. They are also in trouble. Their old pension has been withdrawn. I am completely with the railway employees and railway officials. They are trying their best. But this government only cares about the election. How to go for hacking, how to go for manipulation, how to rig the election... I think they should give more time for governance, not for utterance," Mamata Banerjee said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwippcKM2uKGAxWIRmwGHRszDDQQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-four-dead-dozens-injured-after-train-accident-in-andhra-pradeshs-vizianagaram-652775" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-four-dead-dozens-injured-after-train-accident-in-andhra-pradeshs-vizianagaram-652775&amp;ved=2ahUKEwippcKM2uKGAxWIRmwGHRszDDQQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE">India: 14 dead, dozens injured after train accident in Andhra Pradesh`s Vizianagaram</a>

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RDJ) leader and former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav took to X to criticise the government. 
"Who is responsible for the continuous railway accidents in the country?" he wrote.

Reacting to the statements by the opposition, minister Vaishnaw said it was not the time for politics.

"Right now our focus is on restoration. This is the main line. The rescue operation has been completed. This is not the time for politics. I will also meet the injured," Vaishnaw stated.

Vaishnaw earlier visited the accident site in West Bengal and later went to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital to meet with the injured victims and offer his support and assurances.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian opposition launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and his Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday (Jun 17) after a train accident in the eastern state of West Bengal.

Indian opposition launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and his Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday (Jun 17) after a train accident in the eastern state of West Bengal. At least 9 people were killed and more than 40 injured as the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express was hit by a goods train from behind in Siliguri. India's principal opposition party Congress blamed the accident on "mismanagement" by the railway ministry, saying the rail minister is always "busy with making reels". Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the railway ministry had become a platform of 'camera-driven' self-promotion. "In the past 10 years, the Modi government has indulged in the utter mismanagement of the Railway Ministry... Make no mistake, we will remain persistent with our questions and shall make the Modi government accountable for its criminal abandonment of the Indian Railways," Kharge said. The party has demanded Vaishnaw's resignation. Congress also highlighted the 2023 Odisha train collision in which 290 people were killed. Also read: West Bengal train accident: Death toll rises to 15 after goods train collides with Kanchanjungha Express "Wrong management, wrong policy, wrong steps are behind the rail accidents. The load on tracks has been increasing, but there is no focus on safety. The country has not recovered from the rail accident in Odisha and now this big accident has happened. The Rail Ministry is not able to manage. The Railway Minister should resign," News agency PTI quoted Congress leader Pramod Tiwari as saying. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a fierce rival of PM Modi, also took on the National Democratic Alliance government for 'carelessness.' She said the railway ministry doesn't even care about railway officials, engineers, technical staff and workers, much less the passengers. Watch: Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident: At least 15 dead, 60 injured in collision × "They (the Railway Ministry) don't care about passenger amenities. They don't even care about railway officials, railway engineers, railway technical staff, and workers. They are also in trouble. Their old pension has been withdrawn. I am completely with the railway employees and railway officials. They are trying their best. But this government only cares about the election. How to go for hacking, how to go for manipulation, how to rig the election... I think they should give more time for governance, not for utterance," Mamata Banerjee said. Also read: India: 14 dead, dozens injured after train accident in Andhra Pradesh`s Vizianagaram Rashtriya Janata Dal (RDJ) leader and former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav took to X to criticise the government. "Who is responsible for the continuous railway accidents in the country?" he wrote. Reacting to the statements by the opposition, minister Vaishnaw said it was not the time for politics. "Right now our focus is on restoration. This is the main line. The rescue operation has been completed. This is not the time for politics. I will also meet the injured," Vaishnaw stated. Vaishnaw earlier visited the accident site in West Bengal and later went to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital to meet with the injured victims and offer his support and assurances. (With inputs from agencies)

Kanchanjunga accident: Opposition slams Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for being 'busy with reels'