Elphinstone Railway station stampede : Toll rises to 23, MNS chief Raj Thackeray threatens to stall bullet train project

The tragedy occurred on Friday morning on  a narrow footbridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations. Altogether 38 people were also injured.

Police officials attributed the stampede to the rains and overcrowding.

According to reports, Satyendra Kanojia, a victim of the stampede, died on Saturday morning at KEM Hospital in Mumbai. He had been on a ventilator since yesterday and was in a critical condition.

Union Minister of Railways Pitush Goyal convened a meeting of full Railway board on Saturday to take stock of the on-going infrastructure works on the suburban train network.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said, “Until present infrastructure of local railways is made better, not a single brick will be allowed to be placed for bullet train in Mumbai.”

Questioning the Government's statement  blaming the rains for the stampede, Thackeray said,  “It is not the first time that it rained in Mumbai.They (Railway) say it happened due to rains?”

Thackeray also threatened the state Government that he will take action into his hands. “We will give a deadline to throw out illegal hawkers from station bridges, if it is not complied with then we’ll act on our own.” He further added: “On 5th October I will lead a Morcha to Western railway HQ at Churchgate and ask them questions about their infrastructure.”

“Why do we need terrorists or enemies like Pakistan?it seems our own Railway is enough to kill people," he said.