In a shocking development, as many as three railway staffers met with a fatal accident near Mumbai as they were run over by a local train while on duty on the tracks. The incident has left authorities and the railway community in shock.
The deceased persons have been identified as Vasu Mitra, Chief Signalling Inspector, Somnath Uttam Lambutre, Electrical Signalling Maintainer, Vasai Road and helper Sachin Wankhade. All these staff were from the Signalling Department of the Mumbai division, according to an official statement.
Incident raises question on railway safety
Preliminary reports indicate that the unfortunate event took place in the vicinity of Mumbai. This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by railway personnel in the line of duty, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures to prevent such devastating accidents.
Divisional Railway Manager and other senior railway officials rushed to the site and later extended all assistance to the family members of the deceased. An amount of Rs. 55,000 each has been paid to the family members as immediate relief.
Ex-gratia to deceased's family members
Further, ex-gratia payment and other payments will be disbursed to the deceased’s family members within 15 days, the statement added. The family of Sachin Wankhede and Somnath will receive approximately Rs 40 lakhs while the family of Vasu Mitra will receive around Rs. 1.24 crore.
In addition to this amount, settlement dues (DCRG, GIS, leave encashment) will be paid to the family members of the deceased employees. Futher the Western Railway has also ordered an inquiry into the incident.
(With PTI inputs)
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