Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Monday that enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims of the train accident near New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. The accident occurred when a goods train rammed the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express from the rear after allegedly jumping a signal, leading to the derailment of several coaches. According to initial media reports, eight people were killed and at least 60 injured in the incident.
The minister stated on X, “Enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims; ₹ 10 lakh in case of death, ₹ 2.5 Lakh towards grievous and ₹ 50,000 for minor injuries.” He also added, “Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination. Injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached site.”
The ex-gratia compensation by the railway administration was revised in September 2023 to ₹ 5 lakh for death, ₹ 2.5 lakh for grievous injury and ₹ 50,000 for simple injury. The amount was raised from ₹ 50,000 for death, ₹ 25,000 for grievous injury and ₹ 5,000 for simple injury.
An initial investigation indicated that human error caused the accident. However, the railways will conduct a detailed investigation to ascertain the reason for the train accident. Jaya Varma Sinha, chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, confirmed at a press conference that the loco driver disregarded the signal. She added that a complete investigation will reveal the real reason behind the accident.
Sinha stated that rescue operations at the accident site were complete and efforts were now on to clear the tracks. The chairman said that the casualties were limited because the goods train hit the passenger train from the rear, damaging the guard compartment and two parcel vans. The accident also damaged a passenger coach positioned ahead of the two parcel vans.
The accident has once again highlighted the need to install the Kavach anti-train collision system on the Indian railway network. If reports on the reason for the accident are correct, Kavach would have stopped the goods train that bypassed the signal and prevented the collision.
