Dismissing West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's criticism of Duronto Express, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said the importance and success of the train cannot be diminished.
"Duronto Express has been a successful train and it cannot be belittled by any criticism or ridicule," Banerjee said while flagging off four EMU trains at Majherhat station in southern suburbs.
She, however, said dedicated tracks were necessary for smooth running of high speed trains. "Train operation is not a matter of joke. Daily, 1.5 crore (15 million) people travel by trains.
Considering the importance of the Indian Railways, there should be no hue and cry over petty things," Banerjee said while referring to suspension of three employees by her ministry in connection with the decoupling of Duronto Express a few days ago.
"We take steps within the system for dereliction of duty as negligence of duty is a criminal offence," she said adding corrective measures had been taken for food served on the trains.
Without naming CPI (M), she criticised political movement to stall train movement, and said it was to be kept in mind that West Bengal did not get a single train in the last 10 years.
