M A I N   N E W S

3 train mishaps kill 10 in UP
Shahira Naim
Tribune News Service

Lucknow, January 2
Blinding fog in the state led to three railway accidents in Etawah, Kanpur and Allahabad. And in the most serious collision between Prayagraj Express and Gorakhdham Express near Kanpur, at least 10 persons were killed. Over 50 persons were injured in the three mishaps.

While announcing an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh to the critically injured and Rs 10,000 for the injured, the Railways Ministry also ordered a high-level inquiry into the accidents.

Heavy casualty was reported in the accident at Panki near Kanpur where the Gorakhdham Express rammed into the stationary Prayagraj Express. The last coach of the Allahabad-bound Prayagraj Express was completely smashed, instantly killing the guard, Shivanand, and nine others travelling in the train. Thirty-seven others were injured. The death toll is expected to rise as many are critically injured.

Senior BJP leader and Varanasi MP Murli Manohar Joshi, who was travelling to Allahabad on the Prayagraj Express, had a narrow escape.

Demanding a probe and strict punishment for those guilty, Joshi wondered why fog was being blamed for the accident when it was a yearly phenomenon at this time of the year. In another accident at Sarai Bhupat railway station near Etawah, some 300 km from Lucknow, the Lichavi Express dashed against the stationary Magadh Express at around 0830 hrs. Both the trains, headed for Bihar, were on the same track.

The driver of the Lichavi Express was trapped in the engine and could be rescued after three hours. He was critically injured in the collision. Another 12 passengers also sustained injuries.

The third accident took place at Phaphamau, near Allahabad, where the Faizabad-Allahabad Sarya Express coming from Faizabad collided with a railway maintenance trolley. Four persons were injured here. ADGP (Law and Order) Brijlal said 10 persons were killed in the rail accident in Kanpur alone.

According to ADG (Railways) AK Jain: “Senior officials of the police and district administration assisted the Government Railway Police personnel in carrying out rescue operations.”

“It appears both the accidents took place due to heavy fog. However, a high-level inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact reasons,” RD Vajapayee, chief public relations officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway, told reporters.