₹5-lakh ex gratia for kin of deceased
DHARAMSALA: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday reached the site where two buses were hit by a landslide in Kotrupi, to take stock of relief operations.
According to an official release, the state government has announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. The chief minister also met the victims’ families, assured all possible help to them and announced that the government would bear expenses of treatment of injured passengers, said DPRO, Shimla.
Himachal Pradesh Transport minister G S Bali said the toll could climb to 50.
The Mandi district administration, meanwhile, has closed the Mandi-Aut section of the Chandigarh-Manali highway.
In a notification, the district administration has advised people to take the Mandi-Kullu route via Kalota. Also the Jogindernagar-Mandi section of the Pathankot- Mandi National highway has been closed. PM, NADDA
EXPRESS GRIEF
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the deaths that occurred due to a landslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district.
A team of NDRF is going to Mandi to take part in rescue and relief operations and provide all possible assistance required, the Prime Minister Office (PMO) said.
“Pained by the loss of lives due to landslide related accidents in HP’s Mandi district. My condolences with the families of the deceased,” Modi tweeted.
“I pray for the quick recovery of those injured in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh,” he added.
Two Himachal roadway buses were hit by a massive landslide triggered by a cloudburst on the Mandi-Pathankot national Highway on Saturday night, leaving 45 persons dead.
RAHUL CONDOLES MANDI LANDSLIDE DEATHS
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi too offered condolence to the families of the deceased in the Mandi landslideon Sunday, and requested the Himachal Pradesh government to provide every possible aid.
“My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in Mandi. Request Himachal govt. & local Congress units to provide all possible help,” Gandhi tweeted.
Meanwhile, Union health minister JP Nadda also tweeted, “Deeply saddened to know about this unfortunate accident at Padhar on Mandi NH, Himachal Pradesh. My prayers are with the families of victims.”