Over Rs 25 Crore Disbursed By The Railways As Ex-Gratia To Relatives Of Balasore Accident Victims

Indian Railways has paid a total of Rs 25.91 crore as ex-gratia to the kith and kin of Balasore train accident victims till date, while 81 bodies are yet to be identified.

Besides the ex-gratia, some passengers of the ill-fated trains are also entitled for insurance claim.

However, according to the Railways, the list of passengers who had purchased tickets with insurance provision in the ill-fated trains, is yet to be finalised.

Those passengers having valid tickets with insurance provision are also entitled for insurance claims from the insurance companies.

According to the IRCTC, the ticketing agency of the Railways, the insurance provision is an option available for the passenger at the time of the purchasing tickets online with a token charge.

While booking train tickets on the IRCTC website or app, travellers have the option to avail themselves of travel insurance for a premium of just 35 paise.

IRCTC provides its passengers with a cover of up to Rs 10 lakh in case of death, permanent total disability, Rs 7.5 lakh in case of permanent partial disability, Rs 2 lakh in case of hospitalisation due to an accident during the journey, and Rs 10,000 for transportation of mortal remains.

Those who opt for insurance are eligible for claiming insurance money after the accident, subject to verification of the terms and conditions.

The Balasore train tragedy has claimed 288 lives and more than 1,000 people injured on the fateful day of 2 June involving triple-train pile up at Bahanaga Bazar station in Odisha.

The Railways had declared Rs 10 lakh as ex-gratia for death, Rs 2 lakh for serious injury and Rs 50,000 for simple injury for victims of the worst train mishap to have occurred in the last three decades.

According to the latest data, 405 persons have received Rs 2.03 crore compensation for simple injury, 164 persons received Rs 3.28 crore for grievous injury and a total of Rs 20.60 crore has been paid to the relatives of 206 dead passengers.

Since 81 bodies are yet to be identified as no one has claimed them yet compensation has not been disbursed for them. The authorities are preparing to cremate the unidentified bodies after collecting the DNA samples for further action.