KOLKATA: Bengal CM
Mamata Banerjee
on Monday slammed the
Centre
and the railway ministry during her visit to the train accident site, criticizing Centre for only doing
beautification
work and not focusing on
passenger amenities
. "
Railways
have become totally parentless. You can see the railway minister only at inaugurations. So many talking points and beautifications but they don't take care of passengers' amenities.
I worked as a railway minister, so I know how it works. They don't even take care of railway employees. Their old pension has been withdrawn," Banerjee said in Kolkata.
"Railways have become totally parentless. You can see the railway minister only at inaugurations. So many talking points and beautifications but they don't take care of passengers' amenities. I worked as a railway minister, so I know how it works. They don't even take care of railway employees. Their old pension has been withdrawn," Banerjee said before flying out of Kolkata airport on Monday afternoon.
She said she believed railway officials were still trying their best but the services were being hampered because of Centre's apathy. "I am completely with railway employees and officials. But this govt only cares about election. How to go for hacking, how to go for manipulation, how to rig the election. I think their number one agenda is the party to win. Where will the country go then? I think they should give more time to governance, and not utterance," she said.
Banerjee, accompanied by minister Arup Biswas, took the 4.45 pm IndiGo flight to Bagdogra from Kolkata. From Bagdogra, she headed straight to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital where the injured passengers were admitted.
"I cannot understand why the anti-collision device was not installed. They only talk big but basic infrastructure is missing," she said after coming out of the hospital. At the hospital, she met the injured passengers at the emergency department and spoke to their kin.
"Most of the patients are stable as doctors told me. Doctors and healthcare staff are putting in their best efforts to save the lives of the patients and I personally thank them. At Sealdah we have arranged for special bus facilities to take the passengers home. I instructed mayor Firhad Hakim to be present at the spot," the CM said.
She also took a dig at the airlines for reducing number of flights between Kolkata and N Bengal. "Ever since I heard about the accident, I have been trying to book tickets to Bagdogra. But after 12.40 pm, there were no flights till 4.30 pm," she said before boarding the flight at Kolkata.
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