Railway Minister Vaishnaw visits Odisha train accident site, pledges Rs 2 crore for development of Bahanaga village

As first responders, local residents helped in moving the injured out of overturned compartments, administering first aid and helping them get to nearby hospitals.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, indian express

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. (File)

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More than two weeks after the deadly train accident near Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Odisha’s Balasore district, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the crash site on Tuesday and interacted with local residents.

The minister announced Rs 1 crore from his MP local area development (LAD) fund and another Rs 1 crore from Railways funds for the development of Bahanaga village and the hospital there.

“I appreciated and thanked the people of Bahanaga for the way they came out and worked in unison with the administration and the Railways on the day of the accident. I also had discussions with the people of the village about the development work that can be done here. Accordingly, Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned for the development of the village and the hospital,” Vaishnaw told reporters after the interaction.

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The residents of Bahanaga and nearby villages were among the first responders on June 2, after the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express collided with a stationary goods train near Bahanaga Bazar railway station, leading to the derailment of several bogies that were then rammed into by the Yesvantpur Superfast Express that was heading to Howrah. The tragedy claimed 292 lives and left more than 1,100 injured.

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As first responders, local residents helped in moving the injured out of overturned compartments, administering first aid and helping them get to nearby hospitals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had also lauded the efforts of the local residents.

Responding to questions on Tuesday, Vaishnaw said investigations into the accident were underway.

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On June 4, Vaishnaw had announced the recommendations of the Railway Board for a CBI probe into the mishap.

Besides the CBI, the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) has also been investigating the incident.