Kolkata, January 13: Three people were killed and 20 others injured after four bogies of the Bikaner Express derailed in North Bengal on Thursday evening. The railway authorities have announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those killed and Rs 1 lakh for the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 for the injured.
According to the railway authorities, the derailment of the passenger train happened in the Alipurduar Division of North Frontier Railway between New Domohani and New Maynaguri stations in Alipurduar district. Train No. 15633 Up Express left New Domohani station at 4.53 PM.
The injured were first taken to a Government hospital at Maynaguri and the seriously injured are being transferred to the Jalpaiguri district hospital, sources said.
A Commissioner Railway Safety inquiry has been ordered into the accident. Chairperson of the Railway Board and DG (Safety), Railway Board are leaving from Delhi for the site of the accident.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said he is “personally monitoring” the situation and that he has spoken to PM Narendra Modi and apprised him of the rescue operations.
“In an unfortunate accident, 12 Coaches of Bikaner – Guwahati Exp. derailed near New Maynaguri (West Bengal) this evening. Personally monitoring the situation for swift rescue operations,” he said in a tweet.
