 | ||
The Mathura train collision was a passenger train collision that occurred at 05:00 local time (01:30 UTC) in near dark conditions near Mathura, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, on Wednesday, 20 October 2009. At least ten people were initially feared dead in the incident. This occurred when the Goa Express rammed into the stationary Mewar Express from behind at an outer signal, about 3 km from outer Mathura. Both the trains were headed for Delhi. Further details suggested that the death toll crossed 20.
Contents
Derailment
According to S S Khurana, the then Chairman Railway Board, the Goa Express hit the other train from behind at 4.50am just 3 km from the outer signal of the Mathura junction station. The Mewar Express had come to a halt after Munna Sajid, an undertrial who was being escorted by Rajasthan policemen, pulled the chain. Sajid, an alleged dacoit who was being brought for a hearing in Delhi, reportedly escaped by jumping from the moving train. The railway ministry claimed that prima facie the accident was caused by "human error" and blamed the Goa Express drivers for failing to spot the signal warnings on the line. The driver, R K Chaturvedi, and assistant driver Laxmikant have been taken off duty pending inquiry. An official said the driver wasn't drunk.
See [times of India article 3 below]
Compensation
Railway minister Mamata Banerjee sought a CBI inquiry into the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of the kin of those killed in the train mishap. "The seriously injured passengers would receive Rs 1 lakh while those with minor injuries will get Rs 10,000," she said. In Mathura, UP agriculture minister Laxminarain Choudhry announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of the kin of the deceased besides offering a job.