Raebareli Train Accident Toll Rises To 31
20 March, Raebareli (UP)
The death toll due to the derailment of 14266 Janta Express at Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh has risen to 31.
Over one hundred and fifty passengers have also been injured in the incident. The death toll can increase, as some of the injured are in a serious condition.
The engine and two coaches of Dehradun-Varanasi Janta Express today derailed near Bachhrawan railway station of Raebareli. According to preliminary reports, the locomotive driver apparently overshot the signal and the engine and two adjoining coaches derailed.
Railways has ordered an inquiry into the matter and announced a compensation of 2 lakh rupees for the next of kin of those killed and fifty thousand to each of the injured. People with minor injuries will be given twenty thousand rupees.
The Uttar Pradesh government has also announced an ex-gratia payment of two lakh rupees to kin of the deceased and fifty thousand rupees to the injured.
President Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the loss of lives in the train derailment in Rae Bareli district of Uttar Pradesh.
In his message to the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, . Ram Naik, the President said that he is sad to learn about the incident. He called upon the state government and railway authorities to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved families, as well as the best of medical attention to the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the train accident in Uttar Pradesh. Modi has asked the Railway Minister to closely monitor the situation and ensure speedy relief and assistance at the spot.The Prime Minister has wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, the issue of derailment of Janta Express in Rae Bareli figured in the Rajya Sabha today. Raising the matter, Pramod Tiwari of Congress said that safety of passengers should be the first priority of the railways.
Expressing concern over the incident, Parliamentary Affairs minister Venkiah Naidu said that the Minister of State for Railways is reaching the accident site to assess the situation.