Mamata Banerjee demands Railways give priority to safety of passengers

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. File Pic

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday demanded that the railways give more attention to the safety and security of travellers and roll back the dynamic pricing of train tickets, reported news agency PTI.

Mamata Banerjee, a former Railway minister alleged that train fares were sometimes higher than flight tickets.

"Sad to find that railway passenger fares are steeply increasing and even in Suvidha trains the fares are sometimes higher than air fares!! Where will common people go in case of emergencies?!," she posted on X handle.

"Fare hike must be curbed and reduced! And attention must be given to safety and security issues," she said.

Talking on the number of rising railway accidents in the country, Banerjee also questioned why the anti-collusion devices and other anti-accident measures which she had introduced during her tenure as Railway Minister, were not used to keep a check on mishaps.

"During my tenure as Railways Minister, I had introduced anti-collusion devices and other anti-accident measures! Why are they not being used to avert the increasing number of train accidents, while anti-people fare regime continues unchecked?!."

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the BJP-led central government of attempting to saffronise various institutions across the country, including the Indian cricket team, whose practice jerseys are now saffron-coloured, reported PTI.

Speaking at the inauguration of Jagadhatri Puja at Posta Bazar in central Kolkata, Banerjee alleged that the BJP has introduced saffron colour not only in the practice jerseys of the cricket team but also in the painting of Metro stations, reported PTI.

She expressed her disapproval, stating, "They are trying to paint the entire country saffron. We are proud of our Indian players, and I believe they will be champions in the World Cup. But they (BJP) brought in saffron colours there as well, and our boys now practice in saffron-coloured jerseys. The Metro stations have been painted saffron. This is unacceptable."

Without explicitly naming anyone, Banerjee denounced what she considered as partisan politics, reported PTI.

The TMC boss said, "I don't have problems with them erecting statues, but they are trying to turn everything saffron. I had once seen that Mayawati had made a statue of herself. After that, I hadn't heard of anything like this. These theatrics cannot always lead to benefits. Power comes and goes."

Taking a swipe at the BJP, she said the country belongs "to the Janata (people) of the nation, and not to just Janata of a party."

Her remark drew sharp reactions from the BJP, which dubbed the allegations as a "reflection of a vindictive approach."

(With inputs from PTI)