In the wake of India's deadliest train crash in decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised severe punishment for anyone found guilty of wrongdoing.

The tragic incident occurred when two 12-coach express trains collided with a stationary freight train near Odisha, approximately 140 miles from Kolkata. The collision resulted in the deaths of over 300 people, with 900 others sustaining injuries.

Around 1,200 rescuers tirelessly worked throughout the night, prying open doors and windows to reach the trapped victims. Although survivors were rescued by Friday evening, officials express concerns that the death toll may rise as some injured victims succumb to their injuries in the coming days.

Sudhanshu Sarangi, the director of Odisha state's fire and emergency department, described the situation as "very, very tragic" and unlike anything he had witnessed before. In response to the catastrophe, Prime Minister Modi visited the crash site, spending 30 minutes examining the scene. He then traveled to the Odisha state capital to meet with injured victims recuperating in local hospitals.

Expressing his sorrow, Prime Minister Modi stated, "It's a painful incident. The government will leave no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured. Those found guilty will be punished stringently."

Ironically, Modi was initially scheduled to inaugurate a high-speed train equipped with a collision avoidance system that would connect Goa and Mumbai. However, the trains involved in the crash were not equipped with this technology. India witnesses approximately 14,000 trains carrying more than 12 million passengers each day.

Recognizing the need for upgrading the 40,000 miles of tracks laid by Britain during the 76 years since India gained independence, Modi unveiled a modernization program last year. This initiative aims to address the infrastructure requirements of the world's most populous nation, with a population of 1.42 billion.

Please note that the above article is a fictional rewrite based on the original news piece. The information provided may not reflect real events or statements. Photo by Prime Minister's Office, Wikimedia commons.