The compensation to the victims of train accidents as defined under Section 124 of the Railways Act, 1989, is paid by the Railways after a claim filed by the claimant in the Railway Claims Tribunal is decreed by the Tribunal in favour of the claimant and decree so awarded is decided to be satisfied by the Railways.
The Railway Claims Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body, independent from the Railways. Judicial process for setting the claims involves different stages, like filing of written statements, filing of evidence and arguments, which is a formalized process. The disposal of railway accident compensation claims in the tribunal depends upon the facts and circumstances of each case. Railways make all out efforts at their end for early disposal of the compensation claims in train accidents. An Accident cell is set up at each Zonal Headquarters to provide assistance for filing of accident compensation claims and monitor them till the satisfaction of decree passed by the Railway Claims Tribunal. After the decreed is passed by the Tribunal and satisfied by Railway administration, payment of decreed amount is made at the earliest.
The compensation given to the victims of train accidents, as defined under Section 124 of the Railways Acct, 1989, during the last three years is as under:
| 2010-11 | Rs. 570.27 lakh |
| 2011-12 | Rs. 497.71 lakh |
| 2012-13 | Rs. 318.83 lakh |
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.
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