By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: Union Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the family of the victims of Railway accident in Odisha’s Jajpur. Vaishnaw also said Rs 1 lakh compensation for the grievously injured and Rs 25,000 for those who sustained minor injuries.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed the administration to expedite rescue operation and provide adequate treatment for the injured persons and asked the Revenue and Disaster Management Pramilla Mallick to visit the spot and take stock.
Police personnel of local Jajpur Road PS and Baitarani Road PS are being engaged for rescue operations, besides Railway officials.
Odisha Chief Patnaik has also expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved families while announcing ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to kin of the victims of the railways accident, causing the loss of lives due to train derailment at Korei in Jajpur District on Monday. At least 3 people were killed in the incident while unofficial sources said, the figure is higher. The death toll is likely to further increase as several others are feared trapped.
The freight train was heading towards Chhatrapur from Dongoaposi when it derailed at around 6.44 am. The wagons crashed into the waiting hall killing the victims who were present inside the building.
The East Coast Railway cancelled, partially cancelled and diverted several trains under Khurda Road Railway Division for today. 12073 Howrah-Bhubaneswar Janshatabdi Express, 12277 Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express, 12821 Shalimar-Puri Express, 12822 Puri-Shalimar Express, 18045 Shalimar-Hyderabad Express, 08454/08453 Cuttack-Bhadrak-Cuttack Passenger Special, 08441/08442 Bhbuaneswar-Brahmapur-Bhubaneswar Passenger Special, 08412 Bhbuaneswar-Balasore Passenger Special were among those trains were cancelled.
