Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has reportedly offered to resign, taking ‘full responsibility’ for the train accidents.
Hours after a second train derailed in four days, Prabhu called on the Prime Minister “taking full responsibility” for the state of affairs. “PM has asked me to wait,” he tweeted.
Though Prabhu did not specifically mention that he had offered to resign, sources said he has offered to resign. However, there was no official confirmation about it.
On Wednesday morning, the Kaifiyat Express, travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi, collided with a sand dumper around 2.50 am between Pata and Achalda stations. As many as 74 people were injured in the accident. Two days ago, the Kalinga Utkal Express derailed in Muzaffarnagar district leaving 22 people dead.
Interestingly, Railway Board Chairman A.K. Mittal has also offered to resign in the wake of the accidents. But there was no confirmation if Mittal has quit.
“I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish,” the Railway Minister said.
Prabhu said that he had tried to overcome “decades of neglect through systemic reforms in all areas leading to unprecedented investment and milestones”. He said in less than three years as Minister, “I have devoted my blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways”.
An initial probe into the Kalinga Utkal Express tragedy found that the accident was caused due to negligence by railway staff.