Odisha Train Accident: Jagan Swings Into Action!

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has formed a high-level committee, led by IT Minister G. Amarnath, to visit the site of the train accident in Odisha. The committee will assist in coordinating relief and rescue operations.

Following a meeting with Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) officials, Jagan Mohan Reddy instructed them to establish enquiry and grievance cells in the district collector offices to address grievances and respond promptly. The committee sent to Odisha includes Arun Kumar, the civil supplies commissioner, Anand, the joint commissioner of commercial taxes, Naveen, the joint commissioner of Srikakulam, and the IT Minister.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to make necessary arrangements in hospitals in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam to provide medical treatment to the injured, and to keep ambulances ready.

Expressing deep sadness over the tragic accident in Balasore, Odisha, which claimed the lives of at least 233 people and injured over 900, Jagan Mohan Reddy instructed officials to determine if any passengers from Andhra Pradesh were among the deceased or injured.

Rescue teams are using gas torches and electric cutters to extract survivors and bodies from the mangled wreckage of the three derailed trains. The East Coast Railways’ Waltair Division has set up helplines in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam for relief efforts.

Helpline numbers are available at Visakhapatnam (0891-2746330 & 0891-2744619), Vizianagaram (08922-221202 & 08922-221206), and Srikakulam (08942-286213 and 08942-286245).