Rajya Rani Express derails, CM Yogi Adityanath announces Rs 50,000 ex-gratia

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 each for critically injured and 25,000 each for others who were injured when as many as eight coaches of Meerut-Lucknow Rajya Rani Express derailed between Rampur and Mundapanda stations in Moradabad division of Northern Railway, on Saturday, in Uttar Pradesh.

The 22454 Meerut City-Lucknow Junction Rajya Rani Express derailed by Eight Coaches (5th to 12th from Engine) near Rampur on Moradabad-Shahjehanpur Section of Moradabad Division of Northern Railway at 0815 hrs, the Northern Railway said in its official statement.

The accident took place at a bridge over Kosi river, 4 kilometers away from Rampur and 20 kilometers from Moradabad. According to the police, 12 people have been injured, 3 are critical and 9 have suffered minor injuries.

The Accident Relief Train and Medical Relief Trains (ART and ARME) have been rushed for the site immediately and have reached on the spot for relief work. The buses were arranged for the stranded passengers for their onward journey to their destined Stations.

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Pramod Kumar, DRM Moradabad, stated that the situation has been controlled by the police and GRP officials, who were deployed to the area immediately after the accident. "The upline is clear and the train operation on this line has already started, whereas the down line has been infringed and efforts are on to clear it," he stated.

The DRM, however, stated that there are only two people who have suffered the injuries and have been sent to the nearby hospital. "Our first priority is to cure the injuries and evacuate the passengers. Rescue operations are underway," said Kumar.

Probe ordered:

• The Ministry of Railways has ordered a probe into the incident and has asked the authorities to present the report as soon as possible.
• Railway Minister Suresh prabhu said that he was personally monitoring the situation.
• The case will beinvestigated by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad.
• UP ATS Inpector General Aseem Arun has deployed a team from Bareilly to at the accident site.
• Senior Superintendent of Police, ATS Noida, Brijesh kumar has also reached to the site andthe initial probe has been launched into the incident.

Emergency help line numbers released by the Railway:

Emergency help-line numbers have also been released by the railways. The DRM said that people can inquire about their kins by calling at them.

Meerut City : 0121-2401215

New Delhi : 011-23341074, 23342954

Delhi : 011-23962389, 23967332

H. Nizamuddin : 011-24359748

Moradabad : 1072

Bareilly : 0581-2558161, 2558162

Lucknow : 09794830975, 05222-37677

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