New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is monitoring the rescue operations at the Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express accident site. The Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda has already reached Patna, and will be updating the Prime Minister of the latest developments.
In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, 12 coaches of the Rajdhani Express were derailed near Chapra (Bihar). Five coaches-B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 and pantry car-overturned in the derailment while seven other coaches-B-5 to B-10 and power car-got derailed at the station, about 75 kms from Patna, he said.
Railways suspected sabotage by Maoists behind the derailment. “Prima facie, it appears to be a case of sabotage. There was a blast on the track, which could have caused the derailment,” Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar told PTI in Delhi.
“Another goods train, 60 kms away from the station, also got derailed due to a blast. Eighteen wagons got derailed in the accident,” Kumar said.
The Maoists have given bandh call on Wednesday to protest “strong armed” action by security forces against “innocent people” in the area on suspicion of being Maoists sympathiser.
The Railways have ordered an enquiry to be conducted by the Commissioner, Railway Safety, Eastern Circle, to ascertain the cause of derailment.
Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda has announce ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the family of each of the deceased, Rs one lakh for the grievously injured passengers and Rs 20,000 for those with minor injuries.
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