Ashok Mittal, Chairman of the Railway Board, on Wednesday resigned from his post in the wake of two big incidents of train derailments, both in Uttar Pradesh. Sources said that Mittal had submitted his resignation to Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
On Wednesday, nine coaches of the Delhi-bound Kaifiyat Express had derailed in Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh this morning, resulting in injuries to at least 70 people.
This was the second rail accident in the state in four days.
The derailment of Utkal Express near Muzaffarnagar on Saturday had left more than 25 passengers dead and more than 150 injured.
The rail ministry had punished junior staff members of staff but Prabhu has not taken any responsibility for the rise in train derailment during his term as the minister.
Wednesday’s train derailment followed by Mittal’s resignation prompted social media users to renew their demands for Prabhu’s resignation. Many pointed out how Prabhu, who was widely expected to kicstart a revolution in the railways, has turned out to be a big disappointment.
Here are some reactions;
Another train accident. Blame the tracks, blame the engine or better blame the passengers for boarding it- but dare you blame Suresh Prabhu.
— Sadhavi Khosla (@sadhavi) August 23, 2017
Was rustic politician Lalu a better Rail Mantri than savvy technocrat Suresh Prabhu?
— Suvojit (@suvojitc) August 23, 2017
Not a “small fish” @sureshpprabhu needs to follow in his footsteps. He’s wrecked the railways https://t.co/Jw90RuM415
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) August 23, 2017
Rail board chairman Ashok Mittal resign after 2 rail accidents in a week but i dnt know prabhu ki antar atma kab jaagegi #KaifiyatExpress
— Mirza Hyderabad (@mirzahyd1) August 23, 2017
Flash: A K Mittal Chairman Railway Board resigns. When will Rail Minister resign? Why so many accidents? Safety important above all.
— Murari Goyal (@Hamara_Desh) August 23, 2017