WR sets up accident cell

MUMBAI: Having restored its services with 16 hours of the serial train blasts which ripped apart seven First Class coaches on its network, Western Railway has set up a special Accident cell at Churchgate station to speed up ex gratia payment to the kin of victims and injured.
  
Chief Public Relations Officer Pranai Prabhakar said that the cell opened on July 14 will not only provide guidance but also ensure disbursement of ex gratia payment to the dependents of the deceased and to persons with grievous and minor injuries as declared by the Railway Board.

 

Since the blasts, Western Railway has distributed Rs 15,000 each to the dependents of 42 deceased, Rs 5,000 each and Rs 500 each to those with grievous and minor injuries, respectively. In all Rs 15,38,500 has been disbursed by the Western Railway.

 

On July 13, the Railway Board decided to increase this ex gratia payment to Rs 5 lakh each to the dependents of the deceased, Rs 50,000 and Rs 10,000 each to those with grievous and minor injuries.

 

The difference of the ex gratia already made and one subsequently declared with be paid to the dependents of the victims by cheque after proper verification. Various teams of the railway employees have been formed to visit hospitals and residences of victims to ensure speedy disbursement of ex gratia payment.