New Delhi, Aug. 20: The railway minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, on Friday said sabotage and shutdowns are the biggest reasons for delays in train services.
“Maoist attacks have led to 217 disruptions in the movement of trains as a result of which the Railways have suffered a loss of Rs 1,000 crores,” she said.
Describing the matter as “sensitive”, she said this has also led to 416 cancellations (of trains) while 70 mail trains have been affected due to 75 bandhs called by Maoists.
“I appeal to them that this should not happen.”
Ms Banerjee reiterated her stance that prima facie, the Gyaneshwari train accident was a case of sabotage.
“Investigations into the Gyaneshwari train accident show that prima facie, it is a case of sabotage. We have handed over the case to the CBI,’’ Ms Banerjee said during question hour in Rajya Sabha.
She also refuted allegations by some members that the Lalgarh rally addressed by her witnessed the participation of Maoist leaders who were responsible for the Gyaneshwari tragedy.
Ms Banerjee also said that the Global Positioning System technology will be installed on trains in the next two years to avoid accidents.
“The project for introducing GPS in the trains is under consideration and in two years it will be in place,” she said, adding that it will help in reducing the number of accidents even on unmanned signals.
The minister informed that 11 per cent of the delays in trains are caused due to “rail roko”, shutdowns, obstructions and sabotage done to the trains and tracks.
“Many trains get late because of shutdowns. Many political parties do it as well,” Ms Banerjee said.
However, she said she will not name any party to maintain the dignity of the House.