34 killed, 50 injured in Punjab train collision Tuesday, December 14 2004 18:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time
Mukerian (Punjab):
Thirty four people, including 11 women and a child, were killed and about 50 others were injured when Ahmedabad-bound Jammu Tawi express collided head-on with a local train about 40 kms from Jalandhar today (Dec 14, 2004).
While railway sources put the toll at 34, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said in the State Assembly that 50 people have died in the mishap that occurred around noon.
The sources said the collision took place after both the trains were given the green signals on the single line Jalandhar-Pathankot section of the Ferozepur division of the Northern Railway.
While the local train DMU was cleared from the Bangara railway station, the Ahmedabad bound Express train was given the go ahead from Chak Kalan railway station.
Drivers of both the trains were among the dead, a spokesman of the Northern Railway said.
The injured have been admitted to Civil Hospital at Mukerian and Army hospital, Pathankot.
Railway medical and relief teams have been rushed to the spot from Pathankot, Ferozepur, Ludhiana and rescue operation was on with the help
of the Army.
Three coaches of the DMU and one of the express trains along with the two engines were badly damaged in the collision.
Gas cutters were being used to break open the capsized bogies, the railway sources said.
The residents of nearby villages, including Mirthala and Bangara were among the first to reach the spot followed by police and civil officials.
The Railways announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs one lakh to the next of the kin of each dead and Rs 15,000 each to those grievously injured and Rs 5000 to those having simple injuries.
Railway Commissioner has ordered an inquiry into the accident.
Railway Minister Laloo Prasad, who expressed his profound grief over the accident, accompanied by Railway Board Chairman R K Singh and other senior officials, rushed to the site from New Delhi to supervise the relief and rescue work.
Railway traffic on the section was disrupted resulting in suspension of train services to Pathankot and Jammu Tawi with trains being detained at stations enroute, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Phagwara.
This is the second train accident this year. Fourteen people were killed when a speeding Matsyagandha express from Mangalore derailed after hitting boulders on the tracks over a bridge in Ambawali, Maharashtra on June 16.
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