Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced an enhanced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of those who lost their lives in the Kanchanjungha Express train accident in West Bengal on Monday.
“Enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims’ families. Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2.5 lakh towards grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 to those injured,” tweeted Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The Railways Minister is also set to reach the accident site in Bengal to take stock of the situation.
He informed on his X handle that rescue operations were going on at a war-footing.
Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia would be given to the next of kin of the deceased in the train accident.
“PM Narendra Modi has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the railway mishap in West Bengal. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” the PMO tweeted.
According to latest updates, eight people have died and more than 50 passengers were injured in the train tragedy, which occurred after a goods train hit the Kanchanjungha Express train from behind near Rangapani station, near New Jalpaiguri.
Kanchanjungha Express, a train that runs on a daily basis, connects Bengal with cities like Silchar and Agartala in the North-East.
The Railways have released helpline numbers where people could call and seek information about the situation.
The numbers are 033-23508794 and 033-23833326 (Sealdah) and 03612731621, 03612731622 and 03612731623 at Guwahati.
With train mishap blocking the primary railway connectivity route between West Bengal and North-East, the Railways have also diverted routes of some long-distance trains including Rajdhani Express and Vande Bharat Express.
Eco Survey: Demographic advantage, responsible approach position India to benefit from AI
With AI research and development currently concentrated in the hands of a few, very large companies that control the resources to erect high entry barriers, AI adoption in place of humans presents the risk of concentrating the benefits of automation.
Prez Murmu faces ‘repeated’ insults from Congress: Sonia Gandhi’s comments fuel backlash
The BJP was quick to condemn the remarks, calling them “derogatory” and accusing the Congress of disrespecting the President. BJP leaders said that Congress’s “feudal mindset” cannot accept that a tribal woman like Droupadi Murmu achieved the position of President of India.
India's farm sector has clocked robust growth on the back of govt schemes: Economic Survey
The agriculture sector in India has shown robust growth in recent years, averaging 5 per cent annually from FY17 to FY23, demonstrating resilience despite challenges, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25.
India a bright spot in global manufacturing despite persistent geo-political tensions: Eco Survey
The global manufacturing landscape has undergone significant shifts over the past decade and India has been one of the dynamic economies that gained a greater presence in the space gradually vacated by developed countries.
Nadda strongly condemns Sonia Gandhi’s ‘poor thing’ remark for President Murmu
BJP President and Union Minister J.P. Nadda has strongly condemned senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s reference to President Droupadi Murmu as a "poor thing" while commenting on her address to Parliament.
India’s economy remains steady amidst global uncertainties: Economic Survey
India’s domestic economy remains steady amidst global uncertainties, driven by robust growth in the services sector, a rebound in agriculture, and the industrial sector picking up momentum on the back of rising private consumption, according to the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament on Friday.
Govt bullish on creating robust infra, private sector must reciprocate too: Eco Survey
The government has laid a special focus on infrastructure -- physical, digital and social -- in the last five years and those efforts would need to be supplemented with wholehearted acceptance of the need for public-private partnerships in infrastructure across the country, the Economic Survey 2024-25 said on Friday.
Forward-looking strategic trade roadmap to create more vibrant export sector: Eco Survey
The evolving global trade dynamics, marked by gradual shifts towards greater protectionism, require assessing the situation and developing a forward-looking strategic trade roadmap, the Economic Survey 2024-25, presented in the Parliament on Friday ahead of the Union Budget 2025-26, said.