Suresh Prabhu offers to resign; takes 'full moral responsibility' of train accidents

As Indian Railways witnessed two derailments within days, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu took 'full moral responsibily' and offered to resign form his post. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though, has asked Prabhu to wait.

"I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish," Prabhu tweeted.

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

The railways minister, in a series of tweets, said the new India envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi deserves a Railways which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path, on which Railways is progressing now.

Undr leadership of PM, tried 2 overcome decades of neglect thru systemic reforms in all areas leading 2 unprecedented investment& milestones

- Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

In less than three years as Minister, I have devoted my blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways, Peabhu tweeted.

Ashok Mittal, Chairman of the Railway Board, also submitted his resignation to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. Mittal's resignation comes in the wake of a number two rail accidents in just four days.

After Kalinga-Utkal Express derailment that killed at least 21 people in Uttar Pradesh last week and Kaifyat-Express derailment today injured more than 70 people.

Kaifyat Express traveling from Azamgarh to Delhi collided with the dumper at around 2:50 am between Pata and Achhalda railway stations, a spokesperson for the North Central Railway (NCR) said.

Indian Railways has also decided to recruit close to 2,00,000 workers to put safety back on its tracks. The hiring will be made over the next couple of years for workers who will be responsible for patrolling and maintenance of 64,000-km-long network of tracks.