(Combines related stories)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised stringent action against any found guilty of the triple train accident.
Speaking to the press after inspecting the site of one of the country’s worst train disasters at Bahanaga in Odisha’s Balasore district and meeting victims at Balasore Hospital.
“Stringent action will be taken against those found guilty in the train accident incident. No one will be spared,” PM Modi said.
He also promised, “We will give the best possible treatment to those injured in this tragedy”.
He also expressed his gratitude to locals for all the help in rescuing people, many of whom worked through the night.
“I am grateful to local people for all help given to train accident victims,” Modi said.
Speaking of the accident he said, “I do not have words to express the pain. Let Almighty give us strength to overcome this situation”.
PM Modi was accompanied by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and was briefed on the situation by both Vaishnaw as well as officers of the disaster management team which worked overnight to rescue people at the disaster site where at least 288 people have died and over 900 injured.
He spoke to the Cabinet Secretary and Health Minister from the site and asked them to ensure all help needed is provided to the injured and their families, said officials. Modi also said that special care must be taken to ensure that the bereaved families don’t face inconvenience and that those affected keep getting the assistance they require.
PM Narendra Modi visiting the site of the triple train crash at Belasore, Odisha on 3 June 2023 (PC: @BJYM4BEGUSARAI)
He also interacted with Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallik as well as the local police chief. PM Modi also inquired about the progress of restoration work launched at the mishap site.
Before reaching the accident site at Bahanaga Bazar, the PM had chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi on the train accident.
He later visited the hospital in Balasore to meet the injured.
Read more: Belasore triple train crash: Rescuers try to raise buried coach as death toll is 238
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Saturday asked airlines to monitor and take necessary action in case of any abnormal surge in airfares to and from Bhubaneswar, in view of the train accident in the state.
Besides, the ministry said that any cancellation and rescheduling on flights due to the incident may be done without penal charges.
The ministry has sent out an advisory to the airlines in this regard.
“In view of the unfortunate accident in Odisha, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has advised all airlines to monitor any abnormal surge in airfares to and from Bhubaneswar and other airports of the State and take necessary action regarding the same,” it said in a statement.
At least 288 people have died in one of the worst accidents involving three trains that happened at Balasore in Odisha on Friday night.
