Prime Minister condoles loss of lives in Odisha bus accident; announces ex-gratia

Bhubaneswar, June 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid his condolences to the victims of the tragic bus accident in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

At least 12 persons, including two minors and four women, were killed and seven others seriously injured in a head-on collision between two buses near Digapahandi at around 1 a.m. on Monday.

“Pained by the bus accident in Ganjam district, Odisha. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” the Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet.

Modi has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased. 

The injured would be given Rs 50,000, he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the accident. 

Taking to twitter, Shah said he was anguished by the tragic road accident in Digapahandi (Odisha) that claimed precious lives.

“In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with their family members. May the Almighty give them the strength to bear this. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.

Earlier, expressing deep grief over the deaths of people in the bus accident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakhs each to next of kin of the deceased and free medical treatment for the injured.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and several senior leaders of different parties expressed condolences over the deadly bus accident.

The tragic road mishap took place when a private bus returning from Berhampur collided with a state-run Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) that was coming from the opposite direction from Gudari, Rayagada district.

The private bus was returning to Khandadeuli near Digapahandi after attending the party at Berhampur. 

The injured persons have been admitted in a local hospital and MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, while one seriously injured person has been referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack for further treatment.