In the Kurnool District
of Andhra Pradesh, 7685 UP Kacheguda-Bangalore Express met with
an accident when its Engine and next 9 Coaches derailed near Gooty
Station on Block Section Pendekallu-Pagidirai of Guntakal Division
of South Central Railway at 00.45 hrs on 21.12.2002. 18 persons
have been killed and 80 injured in the accident. The injured have
been admitted in hospitals at Kurnool and Gooty. The derailed
Coaches of the affected train, are Front Passenger-cum-Parcel
Compartment, Ordinary Second Class Compartment, S-14, S-1, S-2,
S-3, S-4, S-5, S-6. Accident relief trains and Medical relief
Van reached the accident site in the middle of the night to assist
in the relief and rescue operation. General Manager of South Central
Railway, Divisional Railway Manager of Guntakal and other senior
Railway and District officials have also reached the accident
site. The Railway Minister Sh. Nitish Kumar, who is in Patna has
conveyed deep condolences over the death of the Passengers. Sh.
Nitish Kumar has also announced that an increased amount of Rs.1
lakh will be paid as ex-gratia in case of death. Ex-gratia payment
is also being arranged for the injured passengers. He has also
directed to take up relief and rescue operation on war footing
and provide immediate medical care. The Minister of State for
Railways Shri Bandaru Dattatreya alongwith Chairman Railway Board,
Member Engineering, Railway Board and other senior officials is
on his way from Delhi to the accident site. The Minister of State
for Railways Shri A.K. Moorthy is also on his way from Chennai
to the accident site.
Remaining 14
Coaches of the ill fated train taking stranded Passengers are
being brought to Guntakal Railway Station. Buses are being arranged
for transporting passengers to different destinations. A number
of Public enquiry booths have been setup at various Stations like
Secunderabad, Bangalore, Guntakal, Kurnool, Hyderabad. The information
regarding the list of Passengers etc. is being made available
at the web sites of Indian Railway as well as of South Central
Railway. Efforts are being made to restore the traffic in the
affected Section at the earliest. A special train carrying relatives
and well-wishers of the Passengers of the affected train has also
left Bangalore for the accident site.
Commissioner
Railway Safety, South Central Circle, Ministry of Civil Aviation,
Government of India, who will conduct the enquiry into the accident,
has also reached the accident site.
