pnn & agencies
New Delhi/Lucknow, August 19: At least 23 people died and over 50 were injured after 14 coaches of the Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh Saturday evening.
News agencies quoted Anand Kumar, ADG, Law and Order, in Lucknow, confirming the number of dead at 23 in the accident that took place at 5.46pm in Khatauli in Muzaffarnagar, 100km from New Delhi.
The train was headed from Puri to Haridwar in Uttarakhand.
Railway minister Suresh Prabhu has ordered an inquiry into the train derailment to ascertain its cause. ‘‘Strict action will be taken against any lapse,’’ the minister tweeted. ‘‘All efforts being taken to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations,’’ Prabhu said.
According to ECoR sources, altogether 266 passengers had boarded Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express from Puri Thursday.
“There were 86 direct passengers from Puri to Haridwar. Eighty of them were travelling in sleeper coaches and six in air-conditioned coaches. The train had set out on its journey at platform No.7 of Puri station at 8.55pm Thursday and was scheduled to reach Haridwar at 9pm Saturday,” said Puri station manager (commercial) Krishna Das.
The Railway ministry was in close touch with the Uttar Pradesh government to coordinate rescue and relief operations. ADG Anand Kumar said that top priority was being accorded to ensure prompt rescue and relief work. He said PAC and NDRF teams have been rushed to the spot.
Since darkness was impeding rescue operations, he said the power department officials had been directed to ensure that there was no shortage of electricity.
Kumar also said IMA chapters in Meerut zone have been alerted and asked to ensure adequate and prompt medical care to the injured.
Railway sources said, passengers Gauri Pal, G.Ghosh, Parole Ghosh, Basanti Pal and Gautam Pal were travelling in AC coaches. “The train had 12 sleeper coaches, five AC coaches, three general coaches, one pantry car and two other coaches,” Das said.
CM’s ex gratia
Expressing concern over the loss of life in the mishap, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced ex gratia of `5 lakh for the next to the kin of passengers from Orissa who might have died in the mishap. He also announced compensation of `50,000 for the injured from the state. Patnaik also spoke to the Railway minister in the matter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep pain over the mishap.
Heavyweight cranes and gas cutters were being used to lift or cut the mangled remains of the coaches and extricate passengers stuck inside. Large number of local people and villagers were also seen helping out those engaged in the rescue work. Policemen on the site said one of the derailed coaches had crashed into the wall of a house adjacent to the railway track and some people are feared to be trapped in the debris.
ADG Anand Kumar said a team of Anti-Terrorist Squad will look at any aspect of ‘‘sabotage’’.
