The Railway Minister, DV Sadananda Gowda, termed as ‘unfortunate’ the death of 19 school children and a bus driver in Medak district of Telangana, when a train rammed into a school bus at an unmanned level crossing.
Making a statement in Lok Sabha, Gowda said as per preliminary information, the incident occurred due to negligent driving by the school bus driver.
“The driver did not stop the vehicle at the Stop Board short of the level crossing to check for approaching train, as prescribed in Section 131 of the Motor vehicles Act, 1988.”
He said the incident took place at an unmanned level crossing no 233-C, which has relatively low traffic density, adding that visibility was clear when the accident took place and all basic infrastructure, such as road signs, speed-breakers, whistle boards, leveled surface was in place.
Offering deep condolences to the bereaved families, Gowda announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh to the grievously injured and Rs 20,000 to persons who sustained simple injury.