The Local Government Minister, Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu has written a letter to the Union Railway Minister Mr. Piyush Goel for putting in place an effective mechanism to put a stop to the accidents happening on railway tracks.Interacting with the mediapersons today on the occasion of distributing cheques to the kin of those killed in the accident, Mr. Sidhu divulged that during the past 2 years several accidents have taken place in Northern India only on the rail tracks claiming about 50000 lives which makes it important for the Union Railway Ministry to take some effective measures.Disclosing more, Mr. Sidhu said that in the letter sent to the Railway Minister, he has demanded that fencing on the pattern of Mumbai-Pune Highway be done on the railway tracks in the densely populated areas so as to save the lives of innocent human beings and animals. In the letter, Mr. Sidhu has suggested installing of the CCTV cameras and alarms besides constant patrolling on the railway tracks. The Local Government Minister has further assured the Union Minister of taking up with the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh any matter concerning any possible assistance from the State Government.
Handing over the cheques of financial assistance to the 3 victim families, Mr. Sidhu said that till now monetary assistance has been provided to 41 people and the same would be provided very soon to the rest also. He also reiterated that the Punjab Government is fully committed to provide every assistance to the families affected by the tragedy.The minister also lauded the District Administration for speeding up the distribution process of financial relief to the victim families and said that the Deputy Commissioner Mr. Kamaldeep Singh Sangha and his team has done the work of4-5 months in mere 3 days. He also appreciated the steps taken by the district administration to attend to the injured immediately after the accident and providing all medical help.Mr. Sidhu advised those indulging in petty politics on the tragedy to shun their destructive approach and help the victim families in every possible way. On the occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravinder Singh, SDM Mr. Rajesh Sharma and other officers were also present.