New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Four people were killed and 20 injured as 14 coaches of 18477 Puri Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express derailed near Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, according to Anil Saxena, Director General PR, Indian Railways.
The incident took place around 5.30 this evening near Khautali railway station in Muzaffarnagar, barely 100 kilometres from New Delhi. The train was headed towards Haridwar from Puri.
According to reports, the derailed coaches got off the track and some also piled up on top of each other. The derailment is likely to affect movement of trains on the busy Northern Railway route.
Expressing concern over loss of life in the accident, Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has directed commerce and transport department to work in coordination with the Railway and UP government to provide help to the injured and the kin of the victims.
The chief minister also announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of any Odia passenger killed in the accident and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Naveen also spoke to Prabhu, who assured all assistance. The chief secretary is also in touch with the Railway authorities, official sources said.
The helpline numbers released for getting information about the accident are:
Puri: 06752226717/06752221072
Bhubaneswar: 06742534027.
Khurda: 06742492411/2492511/2492611
Cuttack: 06712200568
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu also tweeted, “Ex-gratia of Rs.3.5 lakh for family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured. He also announced Rs 25,000 for people with minor injuries.
Ex gratia of Rs.3.5 Lakh for those who lost their lives,Rs.50 thousand for seriously injured 1/
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
And Rs.25 thousand for people with minor injuries in the unfortunate accident has being announced 2/
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
