Indian Railway claims to distribute Rs 25 lakh as ex-gratia to Utkal Express derailment victims

The Indian Railway has claimed to distribute total of Rs 25 lakh so far as ex-gratia to passengers and kin of the dead in the Utkal Express accident on Sunday. 

"We have paid a total of Rs 25 lakh as of now," Member, Traffic, Railways, Mohd Jamshed told the media.

He added that number of dead stood at 20 and the injured was 92 in the Utkal Express derailment at UP's Muzaffarnagar.

Earlier, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had announced that Rs 3.5 lakh will be paid to the kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 to the grievously injured and Rs 25,000 to passengers who suffered minor injuries. 

“40 percent of the passengers who were travelling in the Utkal Express were insured under the e-ticket scheme. Other than that, the railways pays its own compensation as ex-gratia,” said Jamshed. 

Also Read: Utkal Express accident: 14 coaches derail claiming 23 lives; ex-gratia of Rs 3.5 lakh announced

Informing further he added that under the insurance scheme started by Prabhu in 2016, passengers are given the option of insurance cover at the time of booking the ticket on the Indian Railway and Tourism Corporation website.  

The insurance cover includes death or total disability insurance of Rs 10 lakh; partial disability insurance of up to Rs 7.5 lakh; hospitalisation expenses of up to Rs 2 lakh. 

The scheme is available for confirmed and reservation against cancellation (RAC) ticket holders.  

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"The list of dead and injured has been made after meeting passengers in seven hospitals. The list was provided by our director general, health services,” added Jamshed.

He further added that 92 injured and 22 grievously injured are the final figures.

Jamshed further added that every passenger even if suffering from most minor injury will get assistance whether medical or ex-gratia. 
The railway official added that the affected passengers have been sent to Haridwar by buses and taxis.