Explorer

Sena MP Arvind Sawant had asked for new foot over bridge at Elphinstone in 2016

NEW DELHI: Had the Railway ministry harkened to the demands of Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant, who had raised the concern that the foot-over-bridge at Elphinstone Road is incapable of bearing the burden of passengers, Friday's tragedy could have been averted. A massive crowd of morning commuters stampeded on the stairwell of a narrow FOB at Elphinstone Road, leaving at least 22 people dead and more than 30 injured. Sawant in February 2016 had informed the Railway Ministry about the poor condition of the FOB at Elphinstone station. He had requested that a new 12m wide foot-over-bridge should be constructed but the Railways didn't act. The then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, in a letter dated 20 February, 2016, had written to Sawant that the construction of 12m wide new foot over bridge at Elphinstone Road was under the “positive consideration” of Railway Ministry. "Most of the requests which are received reflect the genuine needs and demands of the people and it is always our endeavour to agree to many requests as possible. However, sometimes due to the paucity of finances, operational constraints or other compelling circumstances agreeing to the request may not be possible," the letter stated. The Shiv Sena said that Friday's stampede "is a public massacre for which the government and railways are responsible". Sawant said he has raised the issue of local commuters' plight from time to time in Parliament. "I have repeatedly requested railway officials to look into the issue, but nothing has happened till now." "Suresh Prabhu, as railway minister, had announced elevated railway tracks. Where are they?" he asked. The Shiv Sena MP said several foot overbridges are in poor shape, but nothing is being done to improve their condition. Sawant said instead of focusing on the high-speed rail project, the government should work towards providing basic infrastructure at stations and put in place a mechanism to control crowd. (With inputs from PTI)
View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headline

Mukhtar Ansari Death: UP Court Orders Probe After Son Claims Father 'Poisoned' In Jail — Top Points
Mukhtar Ansari Death: UP Court Orders Probe After Son Claims Father 'Poisoned' In Jail — Top Points
I.N.D.I.A Bloc In Bihar: Here's How Congress, RJD Have Decided To Share Seats After JD-U's Exit
I.N.D.I.A Bloc In Bihar: Here's How Congress, RJD Have Decided To Share Seats After JD-U's Exit
'System Ki Dhajjiyan Uda Rahen Hain': Hardeep Puri Jabs Kejriwal At ABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024
'System Ki Dhajjiyan Uda Rahen Hain': Hardeep Puri Jabs Kejriwal At ABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024
'BJP Should Pay Rs 4,600 Crore': Congress Slams Income Tax Dept, ECI After Getting Rs 1,700-Crore Notice
'BJP Should Pay Rs 4,600 Crore': Congress Slams Income Tax Dept, ECI After Getting Rs 1,700-Crore Notice
Advertisement
for smartphones
and tablets

Videos

ABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024: Congress leader expresses his views over losing in Rajasthan PollsIsha Malviya's Collaboration With Parth Samthaan Ignites Anticipation: What Surprises Await Their Fans?ABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024: Will Congress leader Sachin Pilot ever join BJP? Know his answerABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024: 'Strong opposition is very important for democracy'- Sachin Pilot

Photogallery

Embed widget