Odisha tragedy: T.N. observes one-day mourning; ₹5-lakh aid announced for kin of dead

Team of Ministers and IAS officers rushes to site to bring back bodies of deceased and provide assistance to those from State; CM says govt. coordinating with Southern Railway and Odisha

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday announced ex gratia of ₹5 lakh each to the families of Tamil Nadu passengers who died and ₹1 lakh each to those injured in the Odisha train accident.

Addressing the media after inspecting the help desks set up by Southern Railway at the Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station and by the State Disaster Management Authority at Ezhilagam, the Chief Minister announced a day’s mourning for those who died in the accident.

The State observed the mourning on Saturday.

‘Details awaited’

He said full details of those from Tamil Nadu who were affected in the accident were awaited.

Recalling his conversation last night with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Mr. Stalin said he had offered all help to Mr. Patnaik and the Odisha Chief Secretary.

Mr. Stalin said the Tamil Nadu government was coordinating with Southern Railway and the Odisha government to ensure medical treatment to the injured, to bring the mortal remains of the deceased back home, and to facilitate the return of those who were not injured but unable to return to Chennai.

The Chief Minister said he had enquired with Southern Railway officials about the special train being arranged to bring these people back.

Ministers at site

The Chief Minister said Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Transport S.S. Sivasankar, Transport Secretary K. Phanindra Reddy and Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary Kumar Jayant, and IAS officer Archana Patnaik had gone to the accident site. The Tamil Nadu government would plan its efforts based on the information received from them.

Additional Director-General of Police Sandeep Mittal has also been sent to Odisha to coordinate efforts with the Odisha police. More officers were being sent to be stationed near the accident site over the next four to five days to provide relief to those from Tamil Nadu, Mr. Stalin said.

Help desk at station

He said the Tamil Nadu government deputed officials to the help desk opened at the Chennai Central railway station for better coordination. Apart from the helplines announced by Southern Railway, relatives of those affected can also use the State government’s helplines: 9445869843 (mobile), 1070 (landline) and 9445869848 (WhatsApp), he said.