The Hindu Business Line : Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia relief for Moga level-crossing accident victims

Kolkata, Dec. 14 The Union Railway Minister, Mr Lalu Prasad today announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the dead, and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured in the early morning accident at Moga in Punjab, in which some 16, including children are feared dead.

A mini bus (carrying 30 passengers, including school children) collided with the speeding Ludhiana-Ferozepur Sutlej Express at a manned crossing around 8.00 am after reportedly crashing through the closed gates. Addressing a news conference here today, the Railway Minister, expressing deep regret over the loss of so many innocent lives, said an enquiry by the CRS has already been ordered.

Describing the compensation package announced as going a step further than what is prescribed, the Minister said jobs would also be provided in the railways for the kin of the dead or seriously injured, if they are from very poor families. He said those with marginal injuries will get Rs 15,000 each.

The Minister said the accident could also have occurred owing to thick fog present at that time.

The Minister said there were some 35,000 unmanned level-crossings in the whole of the country. He said steps are being taken to man these crossings in a phased manner, for which budget provisions would be made in the coming railway Budget.

Kolkata Metro

Mr Prasad said following a review of operations of Kolkata Metro Trail this morning, the RPF and other senior railway security personnel have been instructed to maintain strict vigil at the gates, and check passengers’ bags whenever necessary, to avert any major untoward incident inside the station premises. He said this in the context of the recent blast inside one of the compartments of the Dibrugarh-Delhi Rajdhani.

Freight corridor

Asked for an update on the proposed dedicated freight corridor project between Mumbai-Delhi, for which Japanese loan assistance has been sought, the Minister said “come what may, the project is on.”

He said a Cabinet Note was being sent soon on the report of JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

Asked if the Railways was likely to delay the project because of sudden cost escalations, the Minister replied in the negative.

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