Domohani (West Bengal), Jan 14 (Agency) Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday visited the accident site as the toll in the derailment of 12 coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati express train in Northern West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district rose to nine. At least 36 people were injured when the 12 coaches (including ten sleepers coaches and a general compartment) of the Guwahati-bound train derailed – of which two capsized – between New Domohani and Newbetween New Domohani and New Maynaguri stations in Alipurduar division of Northeast Frontier Railway at around 5 PM on Thursday, said a Jalpaiguri district official.
The accident site is about 42 kilometres from New Jalpaiguri station and 100 kilometers from New Alipurduar station. Sharing details about the accident, the union minister said a complete inspection of the site would be carried out. On the cause of the mishap, he said it was yet to be ascertained but an issue has been suspected in the locomotive equipment of the train. The Minister announced that a compensation of Rs 5 lakh has been extended to the families of the deceased while Rs 1 lakh each has been announced for those seriously injured. Also, Rs 25,000 each is being given to the mildly injured passengers. The NF Railway said a special train carrying 290 passengers from the ill-fated train reached Guwahati on Friday morning.