The death toll from the derailment of two trains in Madhya Pradesh late on Tuesday night has been pegged at twelve persons. The number of people injured in the accident is still being pegged at 25.
The government said on Wednesday morning that all required steps are being taken to rescue surviving passengers, provide medical aid to the injured, and relief and rehabilitation to others affected by the mishap.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who was heading for Manipur along with Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh, told ANI that he was still awaiting complete details of the mishap, and would then be in a better position to comment about it.
"The train accident has taken place in Madhya Pradesh. The detailed information will be provided by the Ministry of Railways official. Our team has gone to the site and rescue operations are going on," Rijiju told ANI.
"Therefore, we want information on the exact casualties at this moment. Whatever is required as per emergency services, we will provide it. It is a contingency, and as per the requirement on ground. Right now, we are not in a position to decide what kind of help is needed and how we (the Centre) can assist. Let the full information come, and then, we will do the needful," he added.
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Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha told ANI, "The Kamayani and Janata Express have derailed due to a heavy downpour in the region. Twelve people have died so far unfortunately and 25 people are injured. Medical teams have reached spot and the railway administration is conducting relief and rescue operations at the spot."
The railway Ministry's Chief Public Relations Officer, Anil Saxena, said, "We have the confirmation that 12 people have died and 25 have been injured in the mishap. The railway minister (Suresh Prabhu) has announced an ex-gratia of Rs.2 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs.50000 to the critically injured and Rs. 25000 to injured."
"The Railway Minister has expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and commiserated with the families of those injured. The Commissioner Railway Safety (Central Circle) will probe the incident. Rescue and relief are almost complete. Still a team conducting search operation to see if anyone is still trapped," he added.
The Director General of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), O.P. Singh, told ANI, "We go to know about this accident in middle of the night. The team is reaching there, and after reaching the site, they will try to assist in the entire situation, and if needed, they would go for the cutting of the bogies if the people are trapped inside."
The railways have announced two helpline numbers --05422503814 and 62733 for those wanting information about their kith and kin involved in the mishap.
A critical former union railways minister Dinesh Trivedi told ANI, "This is totally unacceptable. This is the symptom of the deep-rooted cancer in the railway system. I don't consider it as an accident; an accident is something which can't be avoided. This could've been avoided.
He added, "The truth is that year-after-year, the Railways require Rs. 60000 crores for maintenance, and unfortunately they do not have that money. Knowingly, you jeopardizing the lives of the common man, and that is not done. The reason for this derailment and other previous ones is man-made. This could have been avoided."
Trivedi also said that while it is alright to upgrade India's railway network with bullet trains or high speed trains, besides other facilities, first and foremost, there was a need to "get your foundations strong."
He told ANI, "Time has come where we have to say that this is not acceptable. The entire truth has come out. The system is crying out for money."
At least ten bogies of two passenger trains derailed and fell into a river near Harda in Madhya Pradesh late on Tuesday night.
According to reports, 25 people have been injured in the mishap and more than 300 people have been rescued so far.
Local reports said that seven coaches of the Mumbai-Varanasi Kamayani Express derailed around 11.30 p.m. while crossing the bridge over the River Machak, near the Kudawa Railway Station, which is around 25 kilometers from Harda.
Minutes later, three coaches and the engine of the Jabalpur-Mumbai Janata Express, which was travelling in the opposite direction, also derailed.
