Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for Mumbai train accident victim Monica

Hoping to assuage her hardship and woes, Union Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge today announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5-lakh for Mumbai teenager Monica More, who lost her both arms after falling of from a local train here.
The 16-year-old, a commerce student, was returning home after attending classes when she met with the mishap recently while trying to board a crowded train at suburban Ghatkopar station on Central line.
She fell into the gap between the railway platform and foot-board of the train, bringing to fore the risk faced by lakhs of daily train commuters during peak hours in Mumbai.

"On a humanitarian ground and as a special case, the Railway will give an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the victim's family), Kharge announced at an event here.
Kharge also instructed the Railway authorities to raise the height of the platform in line with the train floor level, adding, "provision of funds under amenities be made to increase the height of 74 platforms on the suburban stations within three years."
Low-level platforms have posed a serious threat to the rail passenger safety in the metropolis, where local services serve as a lifeline.

The Minister said he has asked the Maharashtra government to come forward and up requisite facilities for suburban commuters.

The Rail Minister also urged the government and private companies to assist More in getting artificial limbs.
Earlier in the day, Kharge dedicated DC-AC traction conversion on Kalyan-Thane-Lokmanya Tilak terminus section here. He also flagged off four super fast/ mail/express trains from Mumbai to different destinations.