"We will give compensation of Rs.500,000 as ex-gratia to all the families whose members have passed away in the accident. We will also give jobs to one member of the bereaved families," Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said at the accident site. Jhargram is about 155 km from Kolkata.
At least 20 people were killed and over 100 injured when the engine and 13 coaches of a Mumbai-bound passenger train derailed and were hit by a speeding goods train.
Banerjee said the railways will also pay compensation of Rs.100,000 to the injured besides taking full care of their treatment.
She said, apart from the ex-gratia, the injured and families of the dead could avail of the compensation amount to be decided by the railway tribunal.
Published 28 May 2010, 04:37 IST