Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express Train Accident News Highlights: Railways announces ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for kin of deceased in derailment

The Railways has announced ex-gratia for the deceased passenger and injured persons in the derailment incident in Cuttack district of Odisha.

"Ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for the next of kin of the deceased. Similarly, Rs 2.5 lakh for grievous and Rs 50,000 for simple injuries," an official statement said.

The deceased passenger was from Alipurduar in West Bengal and several others, who were injured, have been admitted to the SCB medical college and hospital in Cuttack for treatment.

Earlier, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi had promised best medical treatment for those injured and said the state government would cover their healthcare expenses.

The East Coast Railway (ECoR) shared visuals of restoration work at the derailment site on X and said that the normalcy will be restored soon.

"Restoration going on in a full fledged manner at the derailment site and soon normalcy will be restored," the division wrote on X.

Only down lines have been affected due to the derailment.

Trains from Bhubaneswar towards Bhadrak have been diverted via Barang-Nergundi-Kapilas Road instead of the usual Cuttack-Kendrapara Road-Nergundi route.

So far, five trains have been diverted, including Dhauli Express, Neelachal Express and Purulia Express.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi wrote on X that the state government will ensure "the best medical care" for the injured passengers in the derailment and cover their healthcare expenses.

"Reviewed the condition of the injured passengers from the Kamakhya Express derailment near Nergundi station in #cuttack. The #odisha Govt will ensure they receive the best medical care and cover all healthcare expenses. Wishing them a speedy recovery. Rescue & relief operations remain a priority," Majhi wrote on X.

One resident of West Bengal was killed in the incident and several other passengers were injured.

The injured are currently undergoing treatment at SCB medical college and hospital in Cuttack.

East Coast Railway (ECoR) said to ensure minimal disruption to railway operations, the following down trains from Bhubaneswar towards Bhadrak will be diverted via Barang-Nergundi-Kapilas Road instead of the usual Cuttack-Kendrapara Road-Nergundi route:

• 12822 Puri-Howrah Dhauli Express

• 12875 Puri-Anand Vihar Neelachal Express

• 22606 Tirunelveli-Purulia Express

• 12704 Secunderabad-Howrah Falaknuma Express

• 12513 Secunderabad-Silchar Express

As per the notification, only down lines are affected.

As per the East Coast Railway (ECoR), a special train left the accident site with stranded passengers towards Kamakhya.

The notification added that only down lines are affected and are running in diverted route via Barang-Nergundi-Kapilas Road instead of Barang-Cuttack-Nergundi.

Mail Express Trains remain running in UP Line.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said his office is in touch with the Odisha government following the express train accident in Cuttack district.

"I am aware of the incident involving 12551 Kamakhya Express in Odisha. @CMOfficeAssam is in touch with the Odisha Government and Railways. We will reach out to each and every person who is affected," Sarma said in a post on X.

Eleven coaches of the SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Express derailed near Nergundi in Odisha at 11.54 am.

The train was heading to Kamakhya station in Assam's Guwahati from Bengaluru, Karnataka.