Balasore Train Tragedy: Naveen Patnaik Sanctions Rs 1.95 Crore for Odisha Victims

Balasore: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved an amount of Rs 1.95 crore from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to provide financial assistance to the families of the 39 deceased individuals from Odisha who were identified in the tragic Balasore train accident. This decision follows the State Government’s earlier announcement of providing Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of each deceased person. The funds will be disbursed to the families of the victims in due course.

Among the 39 deceased persons identified so far, 8 are from Bhadrak district, 2 from Jajpur district, 14 from Balasore district, 9 from Mayurbhanj district, 2 from Khordha district, 3 from Cuttack district, and one from Keonjhar district.

Unfortunately, the death toll in the Balasore train tragedy has now risen to 278, as three more individuals who were undergoing treatment in hospitals succumbed to their injuries.

The initial investigation suggests that the accident occurred due to a change in the electronic interlocking system. The incident involved the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express derailing and colliding with a stationary goods train and coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast train on separate tracks near Bahanaga Bazar Station in Balasore district on the evening of June 2.

Sources familiar with the matter have indicated that the collision was likely caused by issues with the electronic interlocking system, leading to the route of the train being changed to the loop line instead of the main line. This change in route was highly unusual and could only have occurred through deliberate interference in the system. The Khurda Road division DRM Rinkesh Ray has also expressed suspicion of physical tampering with the signal system at Bahanaga station, as the signal was inexplicably green when the Coromandel Express was approaching, indicating that the conditions for the signal to turn green were not met.

Efforts are now underway to provide the necessary financial assistance to the families of the deceased individuals, while authorities continue to investigate the causes of the tragic train accident in Balasore district.

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