Hitting out at the BJP, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (October 27) said the stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra railway station was the latest example of India’s crumbling infrastructure.
He also asserted that inaugurations and publicity were acceptable only when the foundation behind them was about working for public good.
Nine people were injured in a stampede amid a rush to board a Gorakhpur-bound train at the Bandra station on Sunday, local civic and disaster control officials said.
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The Western Railway, meanwhile, said in a statement that two persons were injured.
Rush ahead of Diwali, Chhath
In view of the upcoming Diwali and Chhath festivals, a large number of people planning to go to their native places had reached the Bandra Terminus station where scores of passengers rushed to board a train, leading to the stampede.
Rahul took to social media platform X and posted in Hindi, “Inaugurations and publicity are acceptable only when the foundation behind them is about working for public good. When people lose their lives due to a lack of maintenance and neglect of public property and bridges, platforms or statues start crumbling after the ribbon cutting, it is a matter of serious concern,” he said.
The Bandra station stampede is the latest example of India’s crumbling infrastructure, the former Congress chief said.
No concern for public safety
In June last year, 300 people lost their lives in the Balasore train accident but, instead of compensating the victims, the BJP government has entangled them in a long legal battle, he alleged.
Imagine when even a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj falls down in just nine months, it clearly means the intention was only publicity — there was neither respect for Shivaji Maharaj nor concern for public safety, Rahul said.
Also Read: Maharashtra: In Shivaji territory, Rahul attacks Modi over hero’s statue
“Today, the country needs international-class infrastructure that also takes care of the local needs of the poor — that makes business easy, travel convenient and people safe,” he added.
“India is capable and competent — we just need an effective and transparent system aimed at public service and focused on laying the foundation for a strong future for the country,” Rahul said.
(With agency inputs)
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