Railways announces reward for Maoist-hit Rajdhani crew

NEW DELHI - Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday announced a cash reward for crew members of the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express train for their alertness that helped contain injuries to passengers after the train derailed when suspected Maoists blasted the track in Bihar’s Gaya district.

Crew members on the train “showed exemplary devotion to duty by exercising vigilance and alertness… that helped in reducing the extent of damage to the train and injuries to passengers”, a statement from the railway ministry said.

The railway minister “has sanctioned an award of Rs.30,000 each to the two loco pilots and Rs.20,000 each to the guard and the train superintendent for displaying utmost devotion to duty even in the face of adverse situation”, the statement said.

Ten coaches, including the engine, went off the tracks between Paraiya and Kastha stations on the Gaya-Mughalsarai section, about 100 km from Patna, after the rebels blasted the rail track. The incident also led to the cancellation of three trains and diversion of 17 others, the statement said.

“The crew members had controlled the speed of the train and were running cautiously at 75 kmph during its run as was advised to them in view of security reasons,” the ministry said.

“The superintendent advised the passengers that relief and rescue would be immediately made available; he thus prevented any panic among the passengers. He also organised the trans-shipment of about 462 passengers of the Rajdhani Express to the relief special train,” it added.

The statement lauded the staff who comprised pilots R.K. Singh and A.K.Khalku, guard R. Minj and superintendent A.C. Ojha.