Pune: In the wake of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule has voiced grave concerns about the state of transport safety across India, particularly within the civil aviation sector. Describing civil aviation as a persistent “red flag,” Sule urged the central government to release a comprehensive white paper addressing systemic safety issues.
Sule emphasized, “Civil aviation has long been a matter of serious concern. I appeal to the Government of India to present a white paper that examines the challenges and outlines a plan for improvements.”
She extended her concern beyond aviation, highlighting safety issues across multiple modes of transport. “Whether it’s roadways, airways, or railways—safety is a growing concern. I commend Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who has consistently pushed for enhanced road safety and has encouraged MPs to prioritize this issue,” Sule said, acknowledging Gadkari’s proactive approach.
However, she noted that the same level of safety improvements has not been achieved in railways and aviation. “Our experiences in these sectors have been troubling. The frequency and severity of accidents are deeply concerning. I intend to bring up these issues in Parliament and also plan to meet with Railway and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw,” she added.
Sule pointed out the immense pressure on Mumbai’s rail network due to the high volume of daily commuters and stressed the need for a nationwide push to improve railway safety. “The railway system in Mumbai carries an enormous load of passengers. There needs to be a concerted national effort to enhance safety measures across the board,” she urged.
Expressing deep sorrow over the air disaster, Sule acknowledged the emotional toll it has taken on the nation. “It’s heartbreaking. I appreciate Home Minister Amit Shah’s and Prime Minister Modi’s visits to the site. The tragedy has touched the hearts of people across India and the world. The last 24 hours have been extremely difficult for all of us,” she said.
She also paid tribute to BJP leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, describing him as “a wonderful colleague” respected across party lines.
The crash occurred on Thursday when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight AI-171), en route to Gatwick Airport in London, went down shortly after departing from Ahmedabad International Airport. Of the 242 people on board, only one passenger survived. The victims included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven from Portugal, and one Canadian, according to airline officials.
