Title - Railway to compensate victims of Elphinstone stampede

Last year in a stampede at the foot over-bridge  of Elphinstone Railway station thirty six people were victimized. Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT)  On February 28 Railway board decided that Western Railway will not contest the claims made by victims at Tirbunal. The decision has been taken on humanitarian grounds and even though stampede legally does not qualify fo compensation; railway will go ahead and will award compensation to victims.

Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987 clearly mentions that Railway is not entitled to provide any compensation in case of stampede on or within railway premises.

As a first time gesture railway board has decided to not to contest against compensation claims. The decision came within six months and without involvement of any lawyer.

“Minister, Railways and Coal, has decided that as a special case on humanitarian grounds, Western Railway may not contest these claims before RCTs,” it said.