Odisha Rail Mishap: Monitor Airfares To & From Bhubaneswar, Aviation Ministry Tells Airlines

New Delhi: Anticipating a possible surge in airfares to and from Bhubaneswar in view of Friday’s horrific triple-train accident in Odisha, the Union Civil Aviation ministry today issued a directive to all airlines.

Urging airlines to take action in case of an abnormal rise in airfares to and from Bhubaneswar, the ministry advised domestic carriers not to levy penal charges for cancellation and rescheduling of air tickets.

“In view of the unfortunate accident in Odisha, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has advised all airlines to monitor any abnormal surge in airfares to and from Bhubaneswar and other airports of the state and take necessary action regarding the same. Further, any cancellation and rescheduling of flights due to the incident may be done without penal charges,” the ministry said in a statement.

Around 290 people have died and over 900 injured in one of the worst accidents in the history of Indian Railways.

A preliminary report has suggested that the Coromandel Express entered the loop line and hit the static goods train.