UP train mishaps: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu offers to resign, PM Modi asks him to wait

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and it is being learnt that he has offered to resign following the two train accidents - Utkal Express and Kaifiyat Express - in Uttar Pradesh. The Prime Minister, meanwhile, has asked him to wait. 

He has owned a moral responsibility after the two train mishaps. In his tweets, Prabhu has said that has caused him deep anguish and he takes moral responsibility for the two accidents.

"In less than three years as Minister, I have devoted my blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways. Under leadership of PM, tried to overcome decades of neglect through systemic reforms in all areas leading to unprecedented investment and milestones. New India envisioned by PM deserves a Railways which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path, on which Raillways is progressing now," he tweeted.

"I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish. I met the Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi taking full moral responsibility. Hon’ble PM has asked me to wait," he added.

I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish (4/5)

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

I met the Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi taking full moral responsibility. Hon’ble PM has asked me to wait. (5/5)

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

Earlier on Wednesday, Railway Board Chairman AK Mittal resigned from his post after two train mishaps in a week in the state. He submitted his resignation to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Three days after the Utkal Express derailment, another train Kaifiyat Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, taking strong action against the railway mishaps, the Railway ministry on Sunday sent member (engineering) railway board Aditya Kumar Mittal, general manager (GM) Northern Railways R K Kulshrestha and divisional railway manager (DRM) R N Singh on leave till further orders.

Railway Minister had earlier directed to fix responsibility for the Utkal Express accident.  

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

Mittal was sent on leave after the evidence suggested negligence on part of Railway staff.