The former railway minister, Mr Lalu Prasad, on Monday described the train disaster in Birbhum district of West Bengal as a case of serious lapse.
"I don't understand why such accidents are taking place," Mr Prasad said.
"This is a sad incident and a serious lapse," the RJD supremo told reporters here.
At least 60 people were killed and over 90 passengers injured when a train in high speed tore through the rear of another at the Sainthia station in Bhirbhum district of West Bengal, after it apparently overshot the signal in the small hours of the day.
Mr Prasad, however, parried a question about allegations that the railway minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, was concentrating on West Bengal politics ignoring her department.