4th June, 2002
Ministry Of Railways  


37 PERSONS DIED AS KANPUR-KASGANJ EXPRESS DASHED A PRIVATE BUS RAILWAY MINISTER EXPRESSES GRIEF


In Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur-Kasganj Express No. 5301 dashed a private bus at a manned level crossing between Sahawar town and Badhari Kalan stations in Fatehgarh-Kasganj Section, Etah District of Izat Nagar Division of North-Eastern Railway at around 12.52 hours today. As a result of this accident, the bus capsized and fell into a canal next to the level crossing. 37 of bus passengers have so far died and 24 injured. A medical relief team with doctors and fire brigade immediately rushed to the site of the accident to undertake rescue operations.

On learning about the accident, the Railway Minister, Shri Nitish Kumar who was away on a tour, expressed profound grief over the death of bus passengers. He immediately spoke to railway authorities and instructed them to take suitable steps for the rescue and restoration operations. The Railway Minister also directed the Member Traffic, Railway Board, Shri M.C. Shrivastava, to rush to the accident site. General Manager (North Eastern), Additional General Manager, (Northern Railway), Divisional Railway Manager, (Izat Nagar) have also rushed to the accident site. Commissioner (Railway Safety) is also on its way to the site to conduct the enquiry.

The Railway Minister has also announced an enhanced amount, as a special case, for making ex-gratia payment of Rs. 15,000/- each to the next of kin of those killed, Rs. 5,000/- each to grievously injured and Rs. 500/- each to those with simple injury. The ex-gratia amounts have been increased from the normal payments of Rs. 6,000, 2,500 and nil amount respectively.

Regarding cause of accident, prima-facie, it seems that the gate of level crossing remained opened when the train was passing through it. The final findings about the accident will be known only after the enquiry. The Railway Minister has said that after the enquiry, the responsibility will be fixed even at higher level for this accident.

 

 
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