West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has assured her state’s efforts in making tireless efforts to assist the victims of the Balasore train accident. According to her, approximately 206 people from Bengal are currently hospitalized, where about 73 are receiving treatment, nearly 56 have already been discharged after treatment and 182 remain unidentified. Unfortunately, nearly 81 people from Bengal have lost their lives in this tragic accident. The government is closely monitoring the situation from various locations, including Kharagpur, Santragachi, Howrah and Nabanna.
Banerjee stated that a dedicated team of IAS officers is actively working at the borders to ensure the safe transportation of individuals from Odisha to Bengal. The government decided to provide financial assistance to support affected families. Each affected family in Bengal will receive Rs 5 lakh, those with severe injuries will receive Rs 1 lakh, individuals with minor injuries will be given Rs 25,000. Also, those who are traumatized but not suffering from physical injuries will receive Rs 10,000, and an additional Rs 2,000 per month for the next three months, along with essential food items such as rice and lentils.
The chief minister urged everyone to stay calm and remain resilient during this challenging time. She emphasized that the government’s emergency control room helpline numbers, 033-22143526/22535185, are available to anyone in need. Banerjee also added that the West Bengal Government will work in coordination with the Odisha Government to restore normalcy. The affected families are going through a difficult time, and the government’s timely support would help them overcome the crisis.