Bengal announces Rs.3 lakh compensation for train victims

KOLKATA - The West Bengal government has announced compensation of Rs.3 lakh each for the families of those killed in the railway accident at Sainthia in Birbhum district Monday.

Announcing this, Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta said the state government would also bear the entire expenses for treatment of the injured in the accident that occurred at 2.15 a.m.

At least 60 people were killed and 150 injured after the speeding Sealdah-bound Uttar Banga Express rammed into three coaches of the stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express at Sainthia station.

Dasgupta, along with Transport Minister Ranjit Kundu and Labour Minister Anadi Sahu, has left for the spot, about 190 km from Howrah.

Civil Defence Minister Srikumar Mukherjee said: “It is a horrifying incident. I had passed through that same place some time before the accident.”

Asked whether he felt the accident was caused due to negligence by the railways, Mukherjee said: “Of course the railways has a big role to play. Every other day we are coming across flagging off of new trains, but what about controlling of rail traffic?”