Santragachi stampede: Railway Minister expresses grief, announces ex gratia

Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the person killed in the Santragachi stampede in West Bengal on Tuesday.

He also announced a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh to the seriously injured and Rs. 50,000 to those with minor injuries

"Condolences to families of victims of the overcrowding accident at Santragachhi. Ex gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be given to kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh to the seriously injured and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," Goyal took to Twitter to announce the compensation.

The Railway Ministry has also instituted a high-level inquiry committee comprising three senior Railway officers of the rank of Additional Secretary to Government of India to look into the matter.

One person was killed and 14 others were injured in a stampede on a foot over bridge at the Santragachi railway station in West Bengal's Howrah. The incident occurred after announcements were made about simultaneous arrivals of trains at around 6:30 pm following which passengers rushed to the platforms to board the trains.

According to South Eastern Railways, the presence of eight different trains at that time resulted in the heavy rush at the foot over bridge. The injured were initially admitted to the Santragachi Railway Health Unit and later shifted to the Howrah General Hospital.