Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment of 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased in the Almora bus accident. Rs 50,000 rupees will also be given to the injured.
Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered financial assistance of 4 lakh rupees each for the families of the deceased and 1 lakh rupees each for the injured. He instructed the Commissioner of Kumaon Division to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Mr Dhami has directed the suspension of the ARTO in the concerned areas of Pauri and Almora.
The tragic accident occurred this morning in the Sult area of Almora district when a bus plunged into a deep gorge at Kupi, claiming the lives of 36 people and injuring 15 others. The ill-fated bus was reportedly travelling from Gaulikhal to Ramnagar with 51 passengers on board.
Intensive relief and rescue operations are ongoing. Teams from the SDRF, NDRF, police, and local authorities are actively carrying out rescue operations at the site. Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Garhwal MP Anil Baluni and Health Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat met the injured at AIIMS in Rishikesh and inquired about their condition. The Chief Minister has announced instructions to provide better treatment to all the injured.
