In the wake of a devastating train collision near Rangapani station in West Bengal, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced an enhanced ex-gratia compensation for the victims’ families.
The incident, involving the Kanchanjungha Express and a goods train, resulted in the loss of 8 lives and left more than 50 passengers injured.
Expressing condolences, Minister Vaishnaw took to Twitter to outline the revised compensation measures.
“Enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims’ families. Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2.5 lakh towards grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 to those injured,” he tweeted.
The Railway Minister is en route to the accident site to oversee rescue and relief operations, which are reportedly underway at full capacity.
Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had also announced financial aid for the affected families.
PM Narendra Modi, through a tweet from the PMO, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the railway mishap in West Bengal. The injured will receive Rs 50,000.
The collision occurred when a goods train rear-ended the Kanchanjungha Express, disrupting vital rail connectivity between Bengal and the North-East.
The Kanchanjungha Express, a crucial link for daily commuters and connecting cities like Silchar and Agartala, suffered severe damage in the incident.
In response to the crisis, the Railways have set up helpline numbers for concerned relatives and passengers seeking information about the situation.
Helpline numbers include 033-23508794 and 033-23833326 (Sealdah), as well as 03612731621, 03612731622, and 03612731623 (Guwahati).
The accident has necessitated the diversion of several long-distance trains, including the prestigious Rajdhani Express and Vande Bharat Express, as efforts continue to restore normalcy to the affected railway lines.
The tragic incident has prompted an outpouring of support and sympathy from officials and citizens alike, as efforts intensify to assist the victims and their families during this difficult time.
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