Railway Board chairman Ashok Mittal resigns after 2 train derailments in 5 days

The resignation has reportedly not been accepted by Union Minister Suresh Prabhu yet.

New Delhi, August 23: Chairman of the Railway Board AK Mittal tendered his resignation to Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday, after Uttar Pradesh witnessed the second train derailment in five days.

The resignation, which was tendered to the Railway Minister, has been accepted, sources have said. On Wednesday, 74 people were injured after the Delhi-bound Kaifiyat Express derailed near Auraiya district in Uttar Pradesh. Prabhu tweeted to say the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals, and that he is personally monitoring the situation.

Earlier, Mittal was facing flak after the Utkal Express derailment in Muzaffarnagar. On Saturday, 23 passengers died and over 60 sustained injuries when 14 coaches of the Utkal Express, which runs on the Puri-Haridwar-Kalinga route, derailed at Khatauli in Muzaffarnagar.

Prabhu had directed the Railway Board Chairman to fix responsibility after the Muzaffarnagar incident. He also said that he would not allow laxity in operations by the Railway Board.

"Will not allow laxity in operations by the (Railways) Board. I have directed CRB to fix responsibility on prima facie evidence by end of day," Prabhu said in a tweet.

Member Engineering Railway Board Ashok Mittal was on Sunday sent on leave after the prima facie evidence showed negligence on the part of maintenance staff as the reason why the Utkal Express derailed.

OneIndia News