Odisha Train Accident: Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces Rs 10 Lakh Ex Gratia For Families Of Deceased

Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday announced an ex gratia of Rupees 10 lakhs in case of death, Rs 2 lakhs for those grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries

Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced ex gratia for victims of Coromandel express train accident

Source : ANI

Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday announced an ex gratia for the victims of Odisha train accident after Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed near the Bahanaga Station in Odisha's Balasore on Friday night after a collision with a frieght train leaving over 130 injured. The Union minister annoucned an ex gratia of Rupees 10 lakhs in case of death and Rs 2 lakhs for those grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries as he rushed to Odisha, the state he represents in Rajya Sabha.

Over 170 people have been reported injured so far who have been rushed to nearby hospitals, while fatalities are also feared. "There have been casualties but we haven't yet counted. It was a violent train accident involving three trains - two passenger trains and one goods train," Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena told ANI. 

In another tweet, the Vaishnaw informed that rescue teams have been mobilised from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. NDRF, State government teams along with Airforce have also been mobilised. 

Ex-gratia compensation to the victims of this unfortunate train accident in Odisha;
₹10 Lakh in case of death,
₹2 Lakh towards grievous and ₹50,000 for minor injuries.

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 2, 2023

At least 10 to 12 coaches of the high-speed train derailed and encroached on to the opposite track, which led to the derailment of 3-4 coaches of train travelling from Yeshwanthpur to Howrah, said Railway spokersperson Amitabh Sharma. 

Around 50 ambulances have been mobilised to the site, Odisha Health Secretary told news agency ANI.  

Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) and his team are on the site, directing ambulances and first aid. 50 doctors have been mobilized from other districts. Team of doctors dispatched from SCB MCH. Private hospitals in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are also ready to receive patients, the official added. 

Odisha Chief Miniseter Naveen Patnaik will reach the spot on Saturday morning, and has been reviewing the situation, he told the reporters. “I will be there on the spot tomorrow morning to review the situation. Our first concern is to shift the living to the hospital,”he said.