Ashwani Lohani: Wrong to hold Railways responsible for Amritsar tragedy

Amritsar: Hours after the Amritsar train accident, Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani on Saturday said it would be wrong to say that the Railways is responsible for the tragic incident, adding that people need to be more alert.

Lohani asserted that the Railways administration was not informed about the Dussehra celebrations taking place near the main line. He further briefed that the two manned level-crossing on the track, where the accident took place, was closed.

Also Read | Amritsar train tragedy: Nearly 100 affected, claims Civil Hospital Emergency Medical Officer

Also Read: Punjab Train Mishap: Heavy police deployment at train accident site

"It would be wrong to say that Railways is responsible for this accident. There are two manned level-crossing on that track, both were close. It is the main line. There is no speed restriction there. The Railway administration was not informed about the Dussehra celebration near mainline. People were watching Dussehra celebrations from railway tracks. People need to be more alert; they must not trespass on railway tracks," he said.

The accident took place in Choura Bazar near Joda Phatak area of Amritsar where a large number of people were watching the Ravana effigy in flames while standing along the railway tracks when a Jalandhar to Amritsar train crushed them. In the accident, 61 people have lost their lives while 50 others have sustained injuries.

Also Read | Amritsar Train Accident: Residents stage protest at accident site

The public gathering standing on the track reportedly could not hear the hooting of the train due to the exploding firecrackers.

Also Read: Amritsar Train Tragedy- Avoid mudslinging, Sidhu urges political parties

Amarinder immediately ordered a probe into the incident and directed senior officials to rush to the accident spot, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed in the Amritsar train tragedy. He also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the injured. (ANI)

• #Ashwani Lohani
• #Railway Board Chairman
• #railways
• #Amritsar
• #Punjab
• #Amritsar train tragedy