PWI suspended after 4 killed in Hardoi train accident

After four workers were run over by Kolkata-Amritsar Akal Takht Express, the Railway authorities suspended a Permanent Way Inspector (PWI), the Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) has said.

ADRM Sharad Srivastava said that compensation would also be ensured to the families of the deceased. "We have ordered an inquiry into the incident. The Railways will ensure compensation to the families of deceased immediately. Rs 25 lakhs compensation is given in such accidents. We have suspended a PWI (Permanent Way Inspector)," he added.

Additional Superintendent of Police (SP), Gyananjay Singh, said that the four workers were working when the train ran them over. "Post Mortem would be conducted, an investigation would be done," he added.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Nagesh Mishra, said, "Around 12 pm the Kolkata-Amritsar Akal Takht Express ran over the workers when they were working in the tracks. The workers did not understand that the train was approaching because of the noise from their machines. The families of the deceased said that the Railway authorities should have been present at the time of the work and that would have averted the accident. "

PWI Sandila Ram Saheevan said that no caution was required as the workers were on routine duty.

"This was a routine work which was being done. It is possible that the workers did not understand the sound of the train approaching. There was no requirement of caution because this was a routine work," he said.

The accident happened between Sandila and Umartali stations where the four workers died after being run over by Kolkata-Amritsar Akal Takht Express when they were drilling on the rails without any prior block, on Monday afternoon.