At least 37 people were killed and 31 others injured when a train rammed into a bus at an unmanned crossing near here in Uttar Pradesh in the wee hours on Thursday.
The accident occurred at around 2.20 AM when the train on its way from Mathura to Chapra in Bihar rammed into the bus carrying a marriage party from Adupura village at the crossing in Dariyawganj area in this district.
Senior Uttar Pradesh Minister Swami Prasad Maurya said 37 people died in the mishap and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of dead, Rs 50,000 to grievously injured and Rs 25,000 to those with minor injuries.
Maurya, who reached the spot on the directives of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, alleged that the accident took place due to shortcomings of the Railways.
“The state government will write to the Railways requesting it to deploy people at all unmanned railway crossings,” he told reporters.
The bus got stuck on the track due to a problem before being hit by the train, sources said.
Shailaja Kumari, District Magistrate, Etah, said the injured have been admitted to various hospitals in Etah and Farukkhabad districts.
“The injured have been taken care of and they are now in various hospitals. Everybody is out of danger,” she said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed extreme grief at the loss of life and announced ex—gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of each person killed, Rs 50,000 each for seriously injured and Rs 10,000 each for those with simple injuries.
Dr. Singh, who holds the Railway portfolio, also ordered a high-level inquiry by the Commissioner of Rail Safety into the mishap.
A Railways spokesman said the inquiry will go into the causes of the accident.
Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa and Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal have rushed to the mishap site to oversee the rescue operations.
Expressing heartfelt sympathies with the victims of the accident, Chief Minister Mayawati asked the Chief Secretary to be in touch with the Railway Board for ensuring adequate compensation for the victims.
Governor B L Joshi expressed deep condolences over the death of several people.
