Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, July 1: The ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the surviving family members of those killed in the bus accident in Buldhana on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway on Saturday was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In addition, he promised that individuals hurt in the accident would receive Rs. 50,000.
“Deeply saddened by the devastating bus mishap in Buldhana, Maharashtra. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the bus mishap in Buldhana. Rs 50,000 would be given to the injured,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted quoting PM Modi.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the bus mishap in Buldhana. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 1, 2023
A bus heading from Yavatmal in Maharashtra to Pune on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expesswayway caught fire in Buldhana, resulting in 25 deaths and 8 injuries.
Amit Shah, the union home minister, also expressed his sorrow at the incident and referred to it as “heartbreaking”.
“The road accident in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district is heartbreaking. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this horrific accident. Quick treatment is being provided to the injured by the administration. I pray to God for his speedy recovery,” he said in a tweet.
महाराष्ट्र के बुलढाणा जिले में हुआ सड़क हादसा हृदयविदारक है। दुःख की इस घड़ी में मेरी संवेदनाएं इस भीषण हादसे में जान गंवाने वाले लोगों के परिजनों के साथ हैं। प्रशासन द्वारा घायलों को त्वरित उपचार उपलब्ध कराया जा रहा है। ईश्वर से उनके शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की प्रार्थना करता हूँ।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 1, 2023
Eknath Shinde, the chief minister of Maharashtra, has also declared Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia.
The Chief Minister ordered an investigation into the situation after expressing his grief over the unfortunate accident.
“While giving instructions to provide immediate help to the accident victims, the Chief Minister also directed to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured at government expense,” the statement further added.
33 passengers were travelling in the bus that was headed to Pune, according to police officials.
Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, tweeted his condolences and prayed for the quick recovery of those who are receiving treatment.
“The accident of a private bus of Vidarbha Travels going to Pune at Pimpalkhuta in Buldhana district killing 25 people is very shocking and heart-wrenching. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. 8 people were injured in this incident and they have been admitted to hospital in Sindkhedaraja. The condition of the injured is out of danger. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased in this accident. The state government will bear the cost of treatment of the injured,” Fadnavis said.
He added that the district and the police administration are in contact with the state government.
“According to preliminary information given by the Superintendent of Police, the bus hit a bridge after which the diesel tank burst and the vehicle caught fire,” he added.
“A tyre of the bus burst and the vehicle caught fire immediately. The blaze spread in no time,” a survivor said.
“The passenger seated next to me and I managed to escape by breaking the rear window,” he said.
A local resident said four to five passengers managed to escape by breaking one window of the bus.
“But not everyone could do it,” he said.
Police reported that eight bus tragedy survivors who were taken to a neighbouring hospital are safe.
