BHUBANESWAR: Madhu Mandal (52) had left home in search of a job in Haridwar. But little did he know that the train taking him to Uttarakhand city where he could find a job to feed his family would land him in hospital.A native of Arakhadiha village in Khurda district, Madhu had boarded the ill-fated Kalinga Utkal Express at Khurda junction. He was accompanied by Amiya Das, Jatri Das and Debendra Das, all labourers from the same village. They were heading to the pilgrim city for jobs.
Madhu, Amiya, Jatri and Debendra are among five persons who were injured after the train derailed near Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh. While Madhu has been admitted in Muzaffarnagar District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), three others have been discharged after preliminary treatment.
“The train had just crossed Muzaffarnagar station. I heard a thud and my head hit the window railing. Initially I thought the driver suddenly applied the break. But then I saw some of the bogies jumped off the track and dashed with each other. Thank God, we survived,” Amiya told the visiting officials from Odisha.
The other injured, Sabita Mallick from Balasore, has been admitted in Muzaffarnagar medical college and hospital. She has received injuries on her face. The visiting delegation sent by the State Government were in a tizzy as she is unable to provide her whereabouts.“We met her in the hospital. Initially she told us that she belonged to Nuagaon. Later, she said her house is located at Nuabazar and she has been deserted by her husband. We have suggested the officials of Chief Resident Commission (CRC) to send her back to Balasore,” said Soro MLA Parshuram Dhada, who was part of the team. The five-member team led by Transport Minister Nrusingha Sahu also met other injured persons in the Muzaffarnagar DHH. On Saturday night, BJP MLA from Kuchinda Rabinarayan Naik had met the injured passengers in both the hospitals.
“I have directed the CRC officials to make arrangements to bring back the two injured persons, who are now undergoing treatment, to Odisha. They will be provided compensation as announced by the Chief Minister,” said Sahu besides appreciating the arrangements made by Muzaffarnagar administration for the treatment of injured.
The CRC officials, who visited the injured persons, provided `5,000 each. Meanwhile, the State Government also sent a four-member medical team and medicines to Muzaffarnagar to take care of the injured. The team comprised Surgery specialist Dr Niranjan Mishra, orthopaedic physician Dr Kanhei Mohapatra, medicine specialist Rajib Jena and pharmacist Kedar Jena.
Day after mishap
Rs 5,000 given by CRC officials to each injured person
● Odisha Govt sends 4-member medical team to Muzaffarnagar
● A five-member team led by Transport Minister Nrusingha Sahu also met the injured persons