Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan on Monday said that the state government will give Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased in the Mumbai local train tragedy that took place near Mumbra station in Thane district, reported the PTI.
Four commuters, including a GRP constable, died and six were injured in the mishap, with officials saying passengers fell probably after those hanging from the footboard of two overcrowded trains and their backpacks brushed against each other as the trains passed in opposite directions.
Girish Mahajan said the state government will bear all medical expenses of the injured persons, adding they will be provided the best treatment.
“The state government will provide Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of those who died in the incident. Financial assistance will also be given to the injured,” Mahajan told reporters at the site of the accident, according to the PTI.
Speaking about a curve on the rail route at the site of the incident, he said the state government will urge the railway administration to come up with a permanent solution.
“This is the first time such an incident has occurred. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has spoken to officials in Delhi regarding this accident. It must be thoroughly investigated. We must ensure it does not happen ever again,” Girish Mahajan said, as per the PTI.
Underlining the seriousness with which the state government is taking the incident, Mahajan said he was out of station but was directed by CM Fadnavis to immediately rush to the site of the mishap to review the situation and monitor relief efforts.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the Mumbai local train tragedy, the Indian Railways on Monday decided to take a major step toward enhancing safety and announced to launch new design closed-door non-AC rake trains by November 2025.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with senior officials from the Railway Board, held an emergency meeting with the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) team in Chennai to address a long-standing issue — ventilation in non-AC local trains with automatic doors.
The first train of this new design will be ready by November 2025 and after necessary tests and certification, it will be put into service by January 2026.
(with PTI inputs)
