After two train accidents in four days, Railway Board chairman AK Mittal resigns

Railway Board chairman AK Mittal on Wednesday tendered his resignation after another train accident in less than a week.

Mittal's resignation comes hours after the Kafiyat Express derailed in UP's Auraiya district early on Wednesday.

AK Mittal was appointed as the Chairman Railway Board succeeding Arunendra Kumar in December 2014.

Mittal's resignation has been accepted by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

As many as 74 passengers were injured as nine bogies of the Kafiyat Express travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi collided with the dumper. This is the second train accident in Uttar Pradesh in four days.

On Saturday, a passenger train derailed in Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh leaving over 22 dead and 156 others injured.

In February, through an official letter, the PMO voiced its extreme displeasure at the functioning of the railways.

Meanwhile, reports also said that Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani is likely to succeed Mittal