In view of the Kanchanjunga express train accident in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, which claims at least 8 lives including 3 Railway officials and left several other injured, the Tripura government on Monday announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to the next to the kin of the victims of the state of Tripura.

Responding to the incident, the Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday took to his social media handle and informed that he had spoken with the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the collision of Kanchanjungha Express with Goods train in New Jalpaiguri.

“Hon’ble Union Minister informed me that the rescue operation is going on in full swing and assured that all necessary support would be given to the victims and their families,” Dr Saha stated.

According to the statement made by the Chief Minister in his social media handle, the government in Tripura has taken multiple steps, where the Tripura Bhavan officials were instructed to visit the accident site for proper monitoring of rescue and rehabilitation of accident victims.

The Chief Minister said that the cost of treatment of all injured will be borne by the State government and in case of any unfortunate accidental death, state government has declared Rs. 2 lakhs ex-gratia payment to the next to kin of the victim.

The Chief Minister further informed that the state government is continuously monitoring the situation since morning.

The Kanchanjunga Express was travelling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata when a goods train hit it from behind near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri. Ther train left Agartala at around 8.15 am, and met with the accident at about 8.55 am, and the rear four coaches of the passenger train and five containers of the freight train were damaged.

At around 9:57 am, the rear engine of 12872 Howrah Ispat Express left Aluabari Road to clear the front portion of 13174 Down Kanchanjunga Express.