Railway Minister On 2023 Andhra Train Collusion Killing 14: Drivers Busy in watching Cricket on Mobile 

New Delhi: On the somber evening of October 29, 2023, tragedy struck in Andhra Pradesh as a harrowing train accident unfolded, claiming the precious lives of 14 passengers. This heart-wrenching incident, now etched in the annals of sorrow, has been attributed to a lamentable case of driver distraction, as revealed by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The calamity transpired in the vicinity of Kantakapalli, nestled within the Vizianagaram district, casting a pall of grief over the region. The Rayagada Passenger train, embarked on its journey from Visakhapatnam to Rayagada, met with an untimely collision with the stationary Visakhapatnam-Palasa train, shattering the tranquility of the evening at approximately 7 pm. The collision, a cataclysmic event on the Howrah-Chennai line, precipitated the derailment of multiple coaches, while over 50 individuals endured the anguish of injury.

In the aftermath of this grievous incident, Minister Vaishnaw, amidst the anguish and mourning, provided insight into the underlying cause. Although awaiting the formal report by the esteemed Commissioners of Railway Safety (CRS), preliminary investigations hinted at a distressing reality. It appeared that the driver and assistant driver of the ill-fated Rayagada Passenger train succumbed to distraction, possibly ensnared by the allure of a cricket match, thereby forsaking their solemn duty to heed railway signals.

Undeterred by the weight of tragedy, Minister Vaishnaw reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the government to uphold safety as paramount within the intricate tapestry of the railway system. Pledging to delve deep into the root causes of such calamitous events, the administration stands resolute in its endeavor to implement robust measures aimed at averting the recurrence of such sorrowful episodes.