Off track: Seven people died and several others were injured on February 3 after 11 coaches of the Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express derailed in Vaishali district of Bihar. Survivors recalled hearing a deafening bang and being flung off berths. Initially, officials suspected that the accident happened due to a “rail fracture” or a fault on the tracks.
However, the reason has not yet been confirmed and a probe has been launched. On February 1, in the interim Budget for 2019-2020, the government announced a massive allocation for the Railway’s capital expenditure, at ₹1.58 lakh crore.
Presenting the Budget, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal, who also holds the Railways portfolio, said the Railways had “experienced the safest year in its history” in 2018.
He said the launch of the first indigenously developed and manufactured semi high-speed Vande Bharat Express (Train 18) will give passengers a world class experience in speed, service and safety. Picture shows rescue workers looking for survivors.
