Jharkhand ropeway mishap: Cable car co to pay Rs 25 lakh compensation to kin of deceased

 All other 60 tourists, stranded since 4 pm on April 10, after a ropeway malfunction resulted in trolleys colliding at the hills, were safely evacuated in a 46-hour long rescue operation

Helicopter in rescue operation: File Picture

TT Correspondent   |   Ranchi   |    16.04.22   :  Damodar Ropeways and Infrastructure Limited (DRIL), the private firm in-charge of operation and maintenance of Trikut ropeway in Deoghar on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the kin of the deceased who lost their lives during the mishap last on Sunday.

Chief minister Hemant Soren had directed district administration to link Pannalal, a local who saved 11 stranded tourists to link him and his family with welfare measures. Earlier this week, district administration provided Rs 1 lakh compensation to Pannalal and received appreciation from CM and PM Narendra Modi for his contributions.

Three persons including two women had died during Trikut ropeway mishap in which several tourists got stranded in different cabin cars, hanging midair for several hours. It was only after over 40-hour rescue mission by Indian Air Force, ITBP, NDRF and other agencies, 45 persons were rescued.

While the state government has ordered thorough probe into the incident, a first since the ropeway began operation in 2009, the Bengal based company which was running it has announced to compensate those who died.

Mahesh Mohata, GM of the firm said, “We have decided to provide Rs 25 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. It was an unfortunate incident. But we will be doing all that can be done on humanitarian grounds. We are also cooperating with the probe conducted by the government in all possible ways.”

On the other hand, state government is yet to formally begin probe but has ordered the company and district administration to ensure that the mishap site is maintained tamper proof. He said, “We are still to officially get intimation about any team for the investigation or site visit.”

High court too has taken suo-moto cognizance of the mishap and directed government to furnish details by April 25 to begin hearing. 

On Pannalal, Soren in a tweet asked Deoghar DC Manjunath Bhajantri to make toilet available at his house and other welfare measures and provide compliance report in his office at the earliest.