Odisha Train Tragedy: PM Modi, WB CM Mamata Banerjee announce ex gratia compensation for kin of deceased

Balasore: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs for the kin of West Bengal residents who lost their lives in a tragic train accident in Odisha's Balasore. Banerjee, former Railway Minister, said that she will cooperate with the Odisha government and Railways until work is completed. She was visiting the site of accident which claimed 261 lives and has left many injured.

"Railway provides Rs 10 Lakhs as compensation. We will provide Rs 5 Lakhs each to the people of our state and cooperate and work with the Railways and Odisha Government until the work is complete," said Mamata Banerjee.

She said that those injured will be given Rs 1 lakh each.

Mamata Banerjee on Balasore Accident

"Coromandel is one of the best express trains. I was the Railway Minister thrice. From what I saw, this is the biggest railway accident of the 21st century. Such cases are handed over to Railway's safety commission & they investigate and give a report," she said.

"There was no anti-collision device on the train, as far as I know. Had the device been on the train, this would not have happened...The dead can't be brought back but now our work is rescue operation & restoration of normalcy," she added.

PM Modi, Railways announce compensation for victims

The railways announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those who got minor injuries.Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed his distress over the accident, and announced an additional ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the PM's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Mamata Banerjee Conversed with Odisha Counterpart

It was learnt that Mamata Banerjee had a conversation with her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik over the telephone in connection with the accident on Friday night. Reportedly, she assured all sorts of assistance to the Odisha government in dealing with rescue work, and treatment of those injured.

"She is quite worried and will be flying to Balasore today to take stock of the situation. She has also spoken to Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik in this regard. She was in touch with the team which she sent to Balasore last night," news agency PTI reported.

Details about the tragic accident

On Friday evening, a tragic accident involving three trains was reported from Odisha's Balasore district. Four coaches of the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express derailed, following which it collided head-on with a goods train coming from the opposite direction on the other line. In no time, another train travelling from Yeswantpur to Howrah collided into the previously derailed coaches, leading to an increase in the intensity of the accident.