Centre promises help to state govt

NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the Amritsar accident, even as Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha and Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani rushed to the city to oversee rescue and relief operations.

The footwear of the mishap victims. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 19

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the Amritsar accident, even as Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha and Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani rushed to the city to oversee rescue and relief operations.

Modi said on Twitter, “Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and I pray that the injured recover quickly. Have asked officials to provide immediate assistance that is required.”

Rajnath Singh said he had spoken to the Punjab Home Secretary and the DGP and enquired about the accident. “They informed me that they are rushing to the site. I assured them of all possible Central assistance to the state government in this hour of grief,” he added.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who was travelling to the US, tweeted that he had cancelled his engagements there and was returning to India. ADG (media), Railway Board, Smita Vats, said the accident medical train had reached the site within 35 minutes of the mishap.

Northern Railway PRO TR Rana said the accident took place at Gate 27 between Amritsar and Manawala. “The gate was closed. About half an hour earlier, the Howrah Express had crossed. When DMU 74943 was crossing, Ravana Dahan was taking place. As something happened, people started rushing towards Gate 27, which led to the accident,” he said.