By IANS
Kanpur/New Delhi : Thirty-two people were injured, seven critically, when the Jodhpur-Howrah Express derailed near the Kanpur railway station in Uttar Pradesh Tuesday.
According to the railway ministry, two engines and four coaches of the Howrah-bound 2308 Down derailed at 12.25 p.m. at Juhi yard, 8 km from Kanpur station.
Northern Railway Chief Area Manager R.S. Meena told IANS there were no deaths and the injured were taken to the railway and civil hospitals in Kanpur.
He dismissed as “false and erroneous” television reports claiming that three passengers had died in the accident.
An accident relief train along with a medical team and senior railway officials visited the site to assess the situation. The train resumed its journey to Howrah with three additional coaches.
Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal visited the accident site and also met the victims at the hospitals.
Normal traffic was restored on the route.
Authorities have given an ex-gratia payment of Rs.5,000 each for the critically injured and Rs.500 each to those with minor injuries.
R.K. Kardam, Commissioner Railway Safety (Northern Circle), was asked to conduct an enquiry into the accident.
Emergency helpline numbers are 0512-1072 (Kanpur) 033-26413660 (Howrah) 0141-2201043 (Jaipur) 0141-2202915 (Jaipur) 0291-2431646 (Jodhpur) 0151-2526869 (Bikaner) and 0151-2227670 (Bikaner).