Inquiry ordered into Gorakhdham train mishap

Railways today ordered an inquiry into the Gorakhdham train mishap in Uttar Pradesh and announced compensation for the next of the kin of those killed and the injured.

"An inquiry has been ordered into the incident," Chairman Railway Board Arunendra Kumar told PTI, adding, the exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.

The inquiry would be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, North East Circle, P K Bajpayee, who will be visiting the accident site.

Railways have declared a compensation of Rs one lakh for the next of the kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 for those with grievous injuries and Rs 10,000 for passengers with simple injuries.

Kumar said that nine people have died in the mishap and over 82 have been injured.

He said Member (Engineering) V K Gupta, Member (Mechanical) Alok Johri and Director General of Railway Health Services R Prashad have rushed to the accident site.

Rail traffic between Delhi and Gorakhpur has been affected and a number of trains have been diverted through other routes, railway officials said.

Emergency helpline numbers in Delhi and Gorakhpur have been activated, they said.