More than 35 people, including 10 in a train accident, died in Uttar Pradesh since Friday because of intense cold and foggy conditions.
The train mishap took place in Panki (near Kanpur), some 90 km southwest of Lucknow, when the Gorakhdham Express rammed into the Prayagraj Express on Saturday around 9 am. The Prayagraj Express suffered greater casualties.
There were two more train accidents in UP on Saturday.
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a relief of Rs 5 lakh for the deceased’s next of kin and Rs 1 lakh for the seriously injured.
Former Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who was in the Prayagraj Express, escaped unhurt in the accident.
Bahraich MP Kamal Kishore, who was travelling in the same train as Joshi, too was unhurt, but his wife, Poonam, sustained minor injuries.
Eight of those killed in the accident were women and more than 70 were injured.
Just 45 minutes before the accident involving the Prayagraj Express, the Delhi-Sitamhari (Bihar) Lichchhavi Express hit the stationary Delhi-Islampur (Bihar) Magadh Express at Sarai Bhuapt station, 250 km southwest of Lucknow, near Etawah. About 10 people were injured. Nothing could be seen beyond 100 metres at the accident sites near Etawah and Kanpur because of fog, a railway official said.
The third accident took place at Fafamou railway station at about 12 near Allahabad when the Saryu Express collided with a stationary trolley. Three persons were injured. Both accidents disrupted rail traffic.
{{/usCountry}}The third accident took place at Fafamou railway station at about 12 near Allahabad when the Saryu Express collided with a stationary trolley. Three persons were injured. Both accidents disrupted rail traffic.
{{/usCountry}}On the accident in Panki, Additional Director General (Railways) A.K. Jain said: “The deputy inspector general (Kanpur Nagar) and Government Railway Police officials have launched a relief operation.”
“In the first accident, the special superintendent of police (Etawah) reached the spot with railway officials. Rail traffic will soon be restored,” he added.
Meanwhile, more than 24 people have died due to cold conditions in UP since Friday.
While five people died in Bhadoi, four deaths each were reported from Ghazipur, Allahabad and Gorakhpur (all in central UP) since Friday, official sources said.