Kolkata, Dec 14 (IANS) Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also the chief of state’s principal opposition Trinamool Congress, Monday demanded compensation to the families of the victims who died in Sunday’s bus and truck-trailer crash in Kolkata’s neighbouring Howrah district.
The incident took place on the National Highway (NH)-6 at Kulgachia in neighbouring Howrah district, about 20 km from here.

“There were no adequate arrangements at the Uluberia Hospital to provide medical treatments to the injured passengers. There was no proper facility to carry out scan and other required medical tests at the hospital,” Banerjee told reporters here.

She said there was also a shortage of medical staff who could take care of the injured passengers.

“We want the state government to declare compensation for the victims’ families. We think the government should offer Rs.5 lakh to the family members of those who lost their lives in the road accident.”

“It’s the responsibility of the state government to compensate the injured passengers as well,” she added.

Meanwhile, the toll in the crash rose to 23 Monday, with four people succumbing to their injuries since midnight. At least 20 more injured people are still in hospital.

While three people died in the Uluberia hospital, another died in the S.S.K.M. Hospital in the city. Several of the injured are still serious, police said.