The next of kin of those killed in the collapse of the Aizawl railway bridge will receive an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister Relief Fund (PMMRF), according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on Wednesday. The injured victims of the rail bridge collapse, which claimed 17 lives, will also receive Rs 50,000 each, according to a post on the official Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) account on X, formerly Twitter.
“Pained by the bridge mishap in Mizoram. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” read the post on the PMO’s official X handle.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also took to her official handle on X to express grief over the loss of lives in the railway bridge collapse in Aizawl.
“Shocked to learn about the tragic collapse today of an under-construction railway bridge in Mizoram, leading to the loss of lives of several site workers, including some belonging to our Malda district,” the West Bengal chief minister posted on X.
“Have instructed my chief secretary to coordinate with the Mizoram administration at once for rescue/ assistance operations. Malda district administration has been asked to reach out to the bereaved families for extending all possible help,” Mamata added.
“We shall give due compensation asap to the next of kin of the affected families. Solidarity to the distressed, condolences to the families of the deceased. The situation is under watch,” the West Bengal CM posted.
According to earlier Wednesday police reports, a railway bridge under construction in Mizoram’s Aizawl district collapsed on Wednesday morning, killing at least 17 workers. Officials claim that the incident happened in Mizoram’s Sairang region, about 20 kilometers from Aizawl. Northeast Frontier Railway’s chief public relations officer, Sabyasachi De, told that a team of railway officers has been dispatched to the scene and that senior zone officials will also pay a visit. Zoramthanga, the chief minister of Mizoram, expressed his sorrow and affect at the tragedy that claimed lives. He claimed that rescue efforts were ongoing.