By IANS,
New Delhi: Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee will reach Mathura Wednesday night to take stock of the situation after a speeding New Delhi-bound passenger train rammed into a stationary train there, killing 23 people and injuring 20 earlier in the day, railway officials said here.
“The minister is reaching Mathura from Kolkata tonight (Wednesday night) to take stock of the wellbeing of injured passengers,” the railway spokesperson said.
“Earlier, on Wednesday afternoon, Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed cancelling his private visit reached Mathura from Kozhikode and met the injured passengers,” the spokesperson said.
Those injured in the accident were admitted in Maheshwari Hospital, Military Hospital, Methodist Hospital and the district hospital at Mathura.
Some injured passengers were also taken to Agra Medical College and some grievously injured passengers were taken to the trauma centre of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
The minister has ordered a high-level enquiry into the accident and accordingly Commissioner Railway Safety, P.K. Vajpayee of North East Circle, Lucknow will start the enquiry from Thursday.
Banerjee has also announced an enhanced ex-gratia payment of Rs.5 lakh to the next of kin of each of those killed in the accident and Rs.1 lakh to each of those grievously injured and Rs.10,000 each to those with simple injuries.