'It was a bad morning for me'

On Wednesday morning, Mohammad Azharuddin was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He tells MiD DAY how shocking it was to witness a train accident that claimed 22 lives

As a cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin was never afraid of surprises. Infact, the wristy right hand batsman from Hyderabad led team India to many successes on the cricket field from disparate situations.

But, in his second innings as a politician he is getting to handle problems of another dimension. On Wednesday morning the Congress MP from Moradabad woke up to a shock at 8:30 am when his train abruptly halted at Mathura. Azhar was returning from Jhansi onboard Tamil Nadu Express and was told about the train crash nearby in which 22 people were killed.

The accident occurred when Delhi-bound Goa Express rammed into the stationary Mewar Express near Mathura early Wednesday morning.

"It was bad morning for me," Azhar told MiD DAY.

"Accidents can happen any where and any time but this one could have been averted. It was a really bad morning for me, as I had to witness an event like this," the MP said.

He said he was terrified to find most victims being women and children.

"As soon as I came to know about the accident I immediately called up the local MLA and the authorities to take immediate action. I took a car and reached the spot which was hardly few kilometres from Mathura station," he said.

"I would never want to see a sight like that. I met victims' family and also went to the hospital to meet the injured," Azhar added.

When he reached the spot, rescue mission was on. "It was really encouraging to see how the fellow passengers and the Army were working in the rescue and relief operation."

He demanded a detailed probe into the incident and action against the guilty.

"Though government has announced compensation but it could not compensate for life especially of the kids killed in the accident," the MP said.

Azhar finally reached Delhi by road.u00a0