Sun Oct 27 08:59:13 UTC 2024: ## Bandra Terminus Stampede: 9 Injured, Shiv Sena Slams Railway Minister

**Mumbai:** A stampede at Bandra Terminus station on Tuesday morning left at least nine people injured. The incident occurred on platform number 1 before the departure of the Bandra-Gorakhpur Express. All the injured have been admitted to Bhabha Hospital.

The incident sparked political outrage, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray criticizing Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Thackeray, in a social media post, said, “Wish the Reel Minister would be a real Railway Minister. The Bandra incident shows the incompetence of the current Railway Minister. BJP made Ashwini Vaishnaw in-charge of BJP Maharashtra for elections, but every week there are incidents and accidents on the railways. It is a shame that our country has to endure such inefficient ministers.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey echoed similar sentiments, stating that the lives of common people and the poor hold no value in this government. “More than 9 people were injured. Is there any accountability for this from the railway and the minister? He has been made in-charge of the BJP for the Maharashtra elections, he is here to win elections. But he has no accountability for the lives of common people,” he said.

The railway spokesperson attributed the incident to a rush of passengers attempting to board the Bandra-Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express. “The train was scheduled to depart at 5:15 am. Around 2:44 am, the train was being brought from the yard to the platform. Some passengers attempted to board the train before it stopped. Two people were injured and the railway arranged for an ambulance and they were taken to K.B. Bhabha hospital. They are undergoing treatment,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also highlighted that the railways operate special trains to manage the passenger rush during the festive season and appealed to passengers to cooperate, assuring that necessary arrangements were made with RPF, GRP, and ticket checking staff present.

This incident follows a similar stampede at Surat railway station where one passenger died while trying to board a train. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of passengers at railway stations, especially during peak hours.

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