Bhagalpur: Toll at 33, Nitish announces compensation

Bhagalpur, Dec 3 (UNI) Thirty-three people were confirmed dead and 24 injured in yesterday's road overbridge collapse on a running Express train near Bhagalpur railway station in Bihar.

Eastern Railway sources said the dead included 12 women while six of the injured were released after first aid.

Train services on the section were restored on the Jamalpur-Sahibganj section under Maldah division of Eastern Railway this morning.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who visited the accident site, announced a compensation of Rs one lakh each to the families of those killed in the tragedy, Rs 50000 to the seriously injured and Rs 30000 to those who sustained minor injuries.

Besides, free medical treatment would be provided to the injured, he added.

Trains passing through Bhagalpur in Jamalpur-Sahibganj section under Malda division of ER were either cancelled or diverted since 0730 hours yesterday.

''Work for removal of debris from the railway track continued throughout the night and track fitness certificate was issued at 0550 hours today,'' the sources added.

Commissioner of Railway Safety, Eastern circle, R P Agarwal will hold a statutory enquiry at Bhagalpur railway station into the incident.

Holding Railway Minister Lalu Prasad responsible for the mishap, Mr Kumar also directed the Eastern Railway general manager to repair another dilapidated bridge, near the pond adjoining Muslim High school, here at the earliest.

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