Six passengers from Tamil Nadu, who were on the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express that met with an accident in Odisha on Friday, could not be contacted by State government officials till Sunday evening. However, the passengers they were travelling with have informed the Railway Police that they are safe.
In the morning, the State government said eight of the 127 passengers who travelled on the Coromandel Express and had “Tamil names” or those “who have provided an address in Tamil Nadu as their place of residence” could not be contacted.
Minister for Youth Welfare Udhayanidhi Stalin, who arrived at the Chennai airport on Sunday evening from Odisha where he was deputed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, said two of these eight passengers “have been traced”.
As for the remaining six, fellow passengers have informed the Railway Police that they are safe and the Railway Police have passed on the information to the State government, Mr. Udhayanidhi told journalists.
While officials spoke on the phone to passengers Naraganigobi and Jagadeesan, fellow passengers have informed the Railway Police that Arun, Kalpana, Kamal, Meena, Ragunath and Karthik are safe, the Minister said.
“If we could speak to the remaining six, we can conclude that no passenger from Tamil Nadu is affected in the accident,” said Mr. Udhayanidhi, who was accompanied by Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar.
Elaborating on his visit to Bhubaneswar and Balasore, Mr. Udhayanidhi said they did not go to the accident spot as they were not allowed because of the Prime Minister’s visit.
“We crossed that area. We went on a helicopter from Bhubaneswar to the hospital at Balasore. We were shown the site. We did not go to the spot...,” he said.
Mr. Udhayanidhi said it was a “painful experience” to see the injured passengers at the hospital. He said they visited each and every floor to see whether any Tamils were being treated there. On a request, the Odisha government provided the photographs and details of those who died in the accident, and officials checked the list, he said.
Asked for his comment on the accident, Mr. Udhayanidhi said no “such mistakes” should happen. Referring to the statement of DMK leader and former Union Minister A. Raja, the Minister said, “The Union government should find out the reason for the accident and take appropriate action. Mistakes such as these should not recur.”
As contended by Mr. Raja, such an accident should have been avoided when there was so much of technological advancement. “I hope appropriate action will be taken,” the Minister said.
Asked who was at fault, Mr. Udhayanidhi said, “I can’t say. We have placed a demand with the Union government for a proper inquiry.” The Minister also commended those involved in relief operations at the site.
In response to persistent questions on accountability, Mr. Udhayanidhi said Mr. Raja contended, “Someone should take responsibility. We will see if the Union government is taking action. Our president [the DMK president] will decide on this.”
The Odisha government has issued the helpline 06782-262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 044- 25330952 (Chennai).
Southern Railway has set up a round-the-clock helpline and control office at Chennai. A press release said, commuters and relatives could contact the helpline and control office at 044-25330952, 044-25330953, and 044-25354771.
