The Railway Minister, Mr Mukul Roy, on Thursday announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those killed in the Doon Express mishap.
Five coaches of the Dehradun-bound Doon Express were derailed near Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh at around 1.15 p.m. on Thursday. Three people were killed and more than 15 injured in the accident, the Railways officials said. A total of 11 coaches were derailed, including five that capsized.
According to the Minister, the Railways would give Rs 1 lakh to the seriously injured and another Rs 25,000 to those with minor injuries. Calling the accident “very unfortunate” he said: “Precious lives have been lost. Railways will take serious steps to find out the reasons behind this and take appropriate corrective action.”
Mr Roy said the Divisional Railway Manager (Northern Railway) accompanied by senior officials had rushed to the spot with a special relief train. Rescue operations have begun at the accident site, he added.
The Minister assured that he would also help families of the deceased in getting jobs in the Railways.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Chief Minister and the Trinamool Congress supremeo, Ms Mamata Banerjee, demanded a probe into the case to ascertain whether it was “an accident or incident.”
Ms Banerjee said the Railways should look into it.
ayan.pramanik@thehindu.co.in