The Madhya Pradesh Government and the Railway administration swung into action following the deaths of over 100 rail passengers as the Indore-Patna Express derailed in the vicinity of Kanpur in the wee hours of Sunday.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was officially quoted as saying that details are being gathered regarding the State’s residents who were on board the ill-fated train. Directives were issued to provide all assistance to those affected.
Government Railway Police Additional Director General GP Singh said that he is yet to receive information through official channels regarding the Madhya Pradesh residents who were among the passengers.
Railway sources said the railway administration is in emergency mode at Indore, Ujjain, Ratlam and other stations and helpline numbers were issued.
Seven passengers, who died in the train and 35 others sustained injuries, had boarded from various railway stations the Bhopal circle of the West Central Railway zone. According to a spokesman of the Bhopal circle, the list of 105 deceased would be announced soon.
Fourteen coaches of Indore-Patna Express derailed near Pukhrayan in Kanpur claiming over 100 lives so far.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, who has rushed to the site to monitor the situation at ground zero, ordered an inquiry into the accident which will be undertaken by Commissioner Railway Safety (Northern region). “Inquiry team will start investigation into cause of accident immediately. All necessary assistance provided to the affected, we are taking care,” Prabhu has tweeted. The accident comes at a time when railways are undertaking a massive brainstorming exercise to generate new innovative ideas to improve rail functioning and making the train journey a pleasant experience.