- Railways boost compensation for accident-related deaths and injuries by 10 times, lakhs of rupees to be disbursed.
- Effective from September 18, this revised compensation scheme is a welcome relief for the affected individuals and their families.
- In case of passengers killed in train accidents and manned level crossing accidents, the next of kin of passengers killed will now receive Rs 5 lakh as compensation.
- It has declared some additional relief for extended hospital stays.
- the Indian Railways has made substantial financial gains by amending travel fare rules for children in the past seven years.
- The changes in fare rules have resulted in an additional revenue of over Rs 2,800 crore during this period, making 2022-23 the most profitable year.
The Railway Board has taken a significant step to increase the compensation given to the victims of train accidents and untoward incidents. This move comes after almost a decade since the last revision in 2012 and 2013. According to a recent circular dated September 18, the Railway Board has decided to enhance the assistance provided to dependents of passengers who unfortunately lose their lives or sustain injuries in train accidents or other untoward incidents.
Effective from September 18, this revised compensation scheme is a welcome relief for the affected individuals and their families. Here are the key highlights of the new compensation structure.
In case of passengers killed in train accidents and manned level crossing accidents, the next of kin of passengers killed will now receive Rs 5 lakh as compensation, and seriously injured passengers will be provided Rs 2.5 lakh.
In the case of dependents of persons involved in untoward incidents, in the case of a person killed, the dependents will be entitled to Rs 1.5 lakh, and seriously injured individuals will receive Rs 50,000. Passengers with moderate injuries will get Rs 5,000.
For grievously injured passengers in train accidents who require hospitalization beyond 30 days, an additional payment of ₹ 3,000 per day will be released at the end of every 10-day period or date of discharge, whichever is earlier. For grievously injured passengers in untoward incidents who require hospitalization beyond 30 days, an additional relief payment of ₹ 1,500 per day will be released at the end of every 10-day period or date of discharge, whichever is earlier, up to a further six months of hospitalization. Thereafter, ₹ 750 per day will be released at the end of every 10-day period or date of discharge, whichever is earlier, up to a further five months of hospitalization.
In addition to this positive development, it’s worth mentioning that the Indian Railways has made substantial financial gains by amending travel fare rules for children in the past seven years. As per information received through an RTI query, these changes in fare rules have resulted in an additional revenue of over Rs 2,800 crore during this period, making 2022-23 the most profitable year.
No relief payment will be admissible to road users in case of accidents at unmanned level crossings, trespassers, or persons electrocuted by OHE (overhead equipment).
The Railways Act of 1989 has laid down a compensation liability for the death or injury of passengers in train accidents and untoward incidents. The revised relief payments are an additional measure to provide financial assistance to victims and their families.
(With inputs from agencies)
