‘Incapable’: Aaditya Thackeray Slams Ashwini Vaishnaw Over Bandra Stampede

Last Updated:October 27, 2024, 19:49 IST

At least 10 persons were injured in a stampede at Bandra Terminus Station in Mumbai on Sunday morning.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray took a jibe at railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the stampede incident at Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus railway station that left 10 people injured, saying that it is shameful that the country has “incapable ministers” at the helm.

Further dubbing the railway minister as “reel minister,” Thackeray said that BJP has made the minister a mere ‘prabhari’ (in-charge) for the upcoming state elections.

“Wish the reel minister was a rail minister for once. The incident at Bandra only reflects how incapable the current Railways Minister is. The BJP has made Ashwini Vaishnav ji a Prabhari for BJP Maharashtra for elections, but every week there are some incidents and accidents that occur with the railways. Such a shame that our country has been forced under such incapable ministers,” he said in a post on X.

Thackeray faction’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut also traded barbs at Vaishnaw saying that the latter is always presented as highly educated and his association with premium institutes like IITs is highlighted, but he has failed to solve problems of the common people who are dependent on the Railways for travel.

Raut said, “The railway minister is too involved with the bullet train project and people are left to die because of the poor infrastructure as the railway minister is disconnected with their problems. Who is responsible for so many people getting injured (referring to stampede at Bandra station)? Is there not an onus on the railway minister?” Raut sought to know.

The remarks came after at least 10 persons were injured in a stampede at Bandra Terminus Station in Mumbai on Sunday morning. Out of 10 people, five were admitted, three injured were discharged after giving first aid and two seriously injured have been shifted to KEM hospital for further treatment, Dr Sushil, CMO Bandra Bhaba Hospital said.

The incident took place around 2:45 am when passengers rushed to board the unreserved 22921 Bandra-Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express while it was moving into platform number 1 from Bandra Terminus yard. While scheduled departure of the 22-coach train was at 5:10am, officials said during such festival rush passengers often scurry to occupy seats as quickly as possible since there is no reservation.

The Western Railways said in a statement, “On 27.10.2024 at about 02.45 hrs, passenger train number 22921 Antyodaya Express was slowly being placed on platform number 01 from the BDTS yard, when some passengers present on the platform tried to board the moving train and 02 passengers fell and got injured.”

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that the stampede broke out in the wake of the festive rush ahead of Diwali. A huge crowd of passengers rushed to board train 22921 Bandra-Gorakhpur Express, leading to a stampede, they said.

Meanwhile, the Central Railway on Sunday imposed a temporary restriction on sale of platform tickets at major stations to reduce festival crowding. In a release issued during the day, CR said the platform ticket sale restrictions will be in force in Chhatrapati Shivjai Maharaj Terminus, Dadar, Kurla LTT, Thane, Kalyan, Pune and Nagpur stations with immediate effect.

“The restriction imposed to manage anticipated crowding during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festive season will be there till November 8. This step aims to manage crowding on platforms and ensure smooth passenger movement within station premises,” the release stated.

Bandra Terminus, also known as Vandre Terminus, is a railway terminus located in Bandra, Mumbai, serving regular trains to northern and western India. Established in the 1990s to alleviate congestion at the main Mumbai Central station, it is one of five railway terminus in Greater Mumbai.